Yellowknifers loving free admission at the Fieldhouse

Many Yellowknife residents say they are seeing a positive change at the Fieldhouse this year, after city council decided to waive admission fees to use the facility's indoor track and playground.

"I've noticed there's a lot more people," said Yellowknifer Carine Pattin. "I think it's great."

City council voted to make the Fieldhouse track and playground free for all of 2025 at a council meeting in December. 

Mayor Rebecca Alty told CBC News that in addition to helping residents stay active, the change is projected to save the city money. That's because staffing costs have gone down now that an employee doesn't need to sign people in.

She said the city is also able to save money even though it isn't charging people admission because the indoor track and playground aren't supervised and don't cost extra to run when they're busy. 

Reyhan Sarikaya runs the canteen at the Fieldhouse with her husband. She said she has noticed the city facility seems busier since January, especially the indoor playground downstairs.

She said the change has been "wonderful" to see, though it's not necessarily driving up sales at her business.

"When you use the track, you don't usually eat fries," she said while laughing.

Yellowknife resident Katrina Vodnoski said having more people at the Fieldhouse has created a nice change of atmosphere. 

"I feel like the environment is a little more bubbly," she said, adding that she hopes city council will make the change permanent.

Alty said so far, feedback on the decision to waive admission fees has been "really positive." 

She said the city is using 2025 as a pilot year to test out the new system. She said council will likely decide whether to keep admission free long-term during budget discussions next year.

"I hope that we can continue it. It is at least one free winter recreation opportunity that we can provide," she said.