Proposed Membership & Program Fees

As we plan for the upcoming season, the Edmonton Rowing Club Board of Directors and volunteer members have reviewed membership fees to ensure ERC remains financially sustainable, while continuing to deliver safe, high-quality programming.

We want to clearly explain what membership fees cover, what they don’t, and why changes are being proposed.

What Membership Fees Support

Thanks to bingo revenue, ERC is able to cover many core operating costs, including:

• Insurance

• Utilities

• Facility and equipment repairs

• Fuel

• Office and administrative costs

• Marketing, general upkeep, and much more

Casino funds are restricted and can only be used for capital purchases (e.g., boats, oars, facility improvements). They cannot be used for consumables or staffing.

Membership fees exist primarily to fund people:

• Coaching staff

• Club Manager

In addition, ERC is covering trailering costs to regattas, helping reduce travel expenses for athletes and families.

The approximate annual cost of coaching and management per member is:

• Juniors: ~$2,459 per athlete

• Sport: ~$910 per athlete

• Competitive: ~$2,100 per athlete

Proposed 2026 Membership Fees

The following base fees are proposed:

• Junior Development (Green): $1,400

• Junior Competitive (Gold): $1,800

• Senior Competitive: $1,400

• Sport: $750

As is standard, Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) and Alberta Rowing Association (ARA) fees are additional and set externally. These fees have not yet been confirmed for the season.

As you will note, these fees do not yet achieve full cost recovery for coaching and management. Moving toward full cost recovery will occur gradually over time.

Grants, Growth, and Club Culture

Grants remain important but are limited and highly competitive. Many are restricted to facility upgrades and require matching funds, meaning they cannot reliably support ongoing coaching or staffing costs.

Growing membership is also a priority, but it must be a club-wide effort. Feedback from surveys and reviews highlighted the importance of creating a more welcoming connection between Learn to Row participants and existing members. Retention happens on the dock, and every member plays a role in fostering an inclusive, supportive environment.

To help with rising costs, Junior Parents are organizing fundraising efforts to directly support their athletes and programs (e.g., travel costs, kit, etc.)

Moving Forward Together

These proposed fees reflect real program costs, funding limitations, and our commitment to sustainability, quality coaching, and athlete development.

We invite members to review the full fee structure available here and continue engaging constructively as we prepare for the upcoming season. Please keep in mind that these costs cover 12 months of programming. Together, we can ensure ERC remains strong, welcoming, and successful.

If you would like to provide feedback, please email communications@edmontonrowing.ca. Comments will be compiled and discussed at the February Board Meeting when the fee structure will be voted upon.