Hamilton Conservation Authority pass sales spike during COVID-19

From one lockdown to the next, the Hamilton Conservation Authority has doubled its sales of annual passes.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the HCA had about 6,000 annual pass holders, but by the end of last year, the total had reached 12,000.

The pandemic has done something that none of our promotions or other marketing programs has ever managed to do," CAO Lisa Burnside said Tuesday.

The pass sales and visits, estimated to be more than 1.2 million, set records last year, with more people heading outdoors to enjoy green spaces, Burnside said.

We have projected that we will maintain higher levels of visitation as the pandemic continues this year."

But the pandemic also coincided with supply-chain headaches and higher-than-expected costs, she told councillors during a budget presentation.

As well, bookings for events, groups and educational programs still haven't recovered to pre-COVID levels, Burnside noted.

For 2022, the HCA has asked for a two per cent levy hike, which is in line with council's guideline for boards and agencies.

Hamilton covers 99.3 per cent of the municipal levy (Puslinch's share is 0.7 per cent) or about $4.6 million.

The HCA forecasts a total revenue in 2022 of $14 million, with more than half of that to be generated through sales. A small amount of projected donations and grants, which includes provincial funding, makes up the rest.

The budget assumes the province will allow Wild Waterworks to reopen after its closure due to the pandemic.

The HCA receives a management fee from the city to operate the municipally owned water park at Confederation Beach Park.

It owns or manages about 11,000 acres of land, including six major conservation areas, 295 camp sites, a 340-slip marina at Fifty Point, 144 kilometres of trails and two lakes.

Recreational proceeds are used to offset operational expenses and support projects.

The HCA is creating four wetlands at the Saltfleet Conservation Area in upper Stoney Creek to help mitigate flooding below the escarpment.

Three other local conservation authorities - Niagara, Halton and Grand River - as well as the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Hamilton Beach Rescue Unit also made budget pitches Tuesday.

Overall, the city's roughly $1-billion operating budget represents a 3.7 per cent hike as council heads into more deliberations.

The farmers' market, public library and police are scheduled to present spending plans Thursday.

Council expects to approve the city's budget by March 30.

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com