NEW COTTAGE FEE SYSTEM IN SASKATCHEWAN'S PROVINCIAL PARKS

Saskatchewan Environment has changed the manner in which fees are calculated for all cottage lessees in provincial parks. It has replaced the existing service and recreation fee charged to cottage lessees with a new building improvement fee.

Saskatchewan Environment has adopted the Fair Value Assessment system that is used by the rest of the province. Cottage fees haven't changed since 1993, and they are currently based on 1965 replacement value assessments.

The Fair Value Assessment system is designed to more closely reflect the marketability of cottages and recreational real estate. As a result, there will be a rebalancing for assessment values and corresponding cottage fees between provincial parks and within provincial parks as certain subdivisions will be more sought after than others.

This will be a year of transition in implementing the Fair Value Assessment system using 1998 base year values. In the coming year, 2005/06, the department will use 2002 base year values to become fully consistent with the rest of the province. In total, cottage lease fee changes will impact about five percent of all cottage owners in the province (2,156 cottage lessees) and will be implemented over a five-year period.

Cottage lessees will receive their 2004/05 cottage fee invoices in August. The department will also be holding meetings in August with cottage lessees at 12 locations across the parks system to discuss the new fee system.

All revenue from cottage lease fees is applied to cover the cost of providing programs and services in the provincial parks system.

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For More Information, Contact:

Ken Lozinsky Environment Regina Phone: (306) 787-2854