SaskPower announces one-time rate relief program for Sask. community rinks

SaskPower will be waiving a portion of power bills for community rinks in Saskatchewan as part of a one-time relief program to help eligible rinks with utilities during the pandemic.

Between March and September, SaskPower will be waiving all demand charges for eligible rinks, leaving them to pay just power usage, basic monthly charges and applicable taxes.

Eligible rinks include ice skating or curling rinks that are community-owned, non-profit and operation by a municipality or First Nations community. Rinks must apply for the program and can do so online.

The rate relief is expected to save the average rink about $1,600 per month while operating, and about $350 per month once shut down for the season.

“Ice rinks are at the heart of many Saskatchewan communities – but many have experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in the federally imposed Carbon Tax,” said Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskPower, in a press release. “This program aims to help these community rinks weather the storm.”

Demand charges are common for industrial and commercial customers, said SaskPower, as they often use large amounts of power over short periods of time — such as the power used by ice rinks when plants are running — and require extra generation capacity on reserve. SaskPower’s investment into this program is expected to total $700,000.

Applications to the one-time relief program can be found at saskpower.com/rinkrelief.