Iqaluit considering revamp of its recreation sign-up system
Programs frequently fill up with current first-come, first-served system
Iqaluit’s aquatic centre, which serves as a hub for recreation in the city, is pictured in this 2023 file photo. The city is looking at a possible revamp of its recreation registration system. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
The City of Iqaluit is looking at changing the way residents sign up for recreation activities such as swimming and day camps.
“Recreation hopes to create a more balanced and fair registration process, particularly for programs with limited spots,” said Geoff Byrne, a city spokesperson, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.
“However, we are still evaluating how best to implement this across various activities.”
Currently, the city’s recreation registration system is first-come, first-served.
With limited spots, programs tend to fill up.
The discussion about looking at a new system came before the city’s recreation committee during a Sept. 5 meeting, where members voted to recommend council direct staff to develop a new system for recreation program registration.
Council voted in favour of that recommendation Sept. 24.
Nothing has been implemented yet, but staff is looking at options, Byrne said.
“The proposed system may use a randomized selection process for participants who qualify for specific programs, but this has yet to be finalized,” Byrne said.
“We are assessing whether this new registration approach will apply to all recreational programs or only those with higher demand, such as more competitive activities.”
Byrne said the revamp is still in the “planning stages,” and the implementation is to be confirmed.
“No final decisions have been made,” he said.
Wow, as if there aren’t more important issues to deal with. What would make anyone think “first come, first served” wasn’t suitable?
Hey smart guy, ever heard of equity?
Hey not so smart Ron, “First Come, First served” IS Equality
Equity has become a neologism popularized by cultural Marxists that essentially rebrands Marx’s slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”.
Equality, of course, means we treat everyone the same… yes, what a horror.
You should look up the difference between equality and equity.
lol not so smart yet John can’t read. Classic
How is the current system not fair and balanced? Someone explain it to me.
If I was forced to bet money on it, I’d say the problem is too many programs are being filled up too quickly by a certain ‘group’ if you follow me *wink*
These are competitive and ambitious folks, by the way. The fruit These are the fruits of an oppressive culture. Ours, however, is a world where representation matters most, a new system therefore must be devised that will surely birth a utopia of equity.
De-colonize registration
Heavens forbid the recreation department, who’s job is to provide recreation, spend time on improving access to recreation! The horror!
All issues, “important” and “less important” are easier to tackle when one is approaching it through a healthy mind and body, which come from a healthy lifestyle. This includes good food, sleep, and ding ding ding: exercise. You should try it out. Correct me if you already do all three regularly.
First come, first serve was a fair way to sell concert tickets in the 1960s. In the online age it’s not. It’s not a level playing field. Everyone who wants to get their kids in recreational programs doesn’t have equal access to technology which is the limiting factor, so it a advantage. Yes they can go to the library and use the public computers, but those seats are limited and library time may not line up with the opening of the program registration. Let people sign up in person and take online registration for 2-3 days and then randomly fill the program, it’s simple and fair.
Why isn’t first come first serve not good enough? Randomized selection is a dumb idea. There is already a staffing issue at the city and the city is going to add more work? More spots can be opened up if more people apply for the jobs, no? Until this is fixed, nothing is going to change.
Instead of utilizing city funds to code and program a randomized electronic lottery system to make access more fair… why not add an extra teacher/instructor per program of high interest to ensure the city can accommodate the growing number of students?
It would be the most logical step in the growing capital by creating fairness and equitibility through access for all rather than luck-of-the-draw.
Why would selection method cost anything? This is simply looking at more fair options which give better data.
Let work through a hypothetical:
CURRENTLY there are 20 spots, they fill up in the first hour with people who have the option to be standing by for registration. Seeing the program is full, four or five people choose to waitlist. The city runs the program and hopes to expand it to 25 spots next year.
ALTERNATIVELY there are 20 spots, 80 people apply during registration week. 20 are randomly selected for the first program offering AND the city now knows there is clear demand for three more program offerings.
No crime to report again this week. Congradulations iqaluit
Here’s why first come, first serve is a bad idea. There are too many families where neither parents nor children/youth will even try to get served. It’s necessary not only to figure out how to have an open door policy by rationing available time and resources. Outreach is also necessary to engage with children/youth who would otherwise not be applying. In all conscience it needs to be said that no young person should be left behind.
This way of thinking is, of course, totally wrong headed and punishes rather than encourages participation.
“… families where neither parents nor children/youth will even try to get served…
… have an open door policy
… ration… available time and resources.
… Outreach … to engage with children/youth who would otherwise not be applying. ”
Those are all valid ideas, Colin; I support them morally and in my daily practice
They don’t preclude first-come, first-served though; in fact, they support it
At the aquatic center in Greenland, all kids under 18 can swim for free. Good for kids to have something to do, especially if they have no money. Could Iqaluit do this too please?
They also got no running water in most towns in greenland.
One element of first-come first-served (FCFS) is that those most interested in programs are apt to register first. Lots of people throw their hat in the ring only to back out at the last minute, or part way through a program. Surely we can find a way to make FCFS work; better still, try to create more capacity where demand warrants
FCFS is very bad at gauging demand….
For those discussing equity and equality…… a random selection system is far more likely to be abused with “Tomfoolery” and patronage. Selection will happen behind closed doors.
Who is more likely to ensure the child shows up and actually utilizes the spot in the program: the one whose parents made applying a priority and were ready to apply the second applications were accepted, or the one whose parents applied eventually when they felt like it? And please don’t talk about “access to internet”; if you’re one of the scant minority of parents without a smart phone in this day and age you’re probably not likely to have the $65 registration fee either.
Nothing is better than gauging demand than FCFS. If the real demand is there, the item will be snapped up immediately. Weeds out the tire-kickers and time-wasters.
If all spots are snapped up in an hour, how many more spots should there be?