FAQs

Regional facilities are community assets that serve residents from across the Fundy region, not just the municipality where they are located. These facilities support recreation, sports, arts, culture, events, meetings, and community activities that benefit people from multiple communities.

The region's designated regional facilities include the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Imperial Theatre, Saint John Arts Centre, Saint John Trade and Convention Centre, and TD Station.

How Cost Sharing Works Today

For many years, municipalities and local service districts across the Fundy region have contributed toward regional facilities through a shared funding model.

Each community's contribution is based on factors such as population and tax base.

Current cost-sharing percentages:

• Saint John: 55%
• Quispamsis: 15%
• Rothesay: 10%
• Hampton: 7%
• Fundy Rural District: 5%
• Grand Bay-Westfield: 4%
• Fundy-St. Martins: 3%

People from communities throughout the Fundy region use these facilities. Whether attending a hockey game, swimming lesson, concert, conference, exhibition, or community event, users come from many municipalities and rural communities.

Because the facilities provide benefits beyond Saint John's boundaries, their operating costs have historically been shared among communities across the region.

Regional facility contributions are calculated using a funding formula established through the regional governance system. The formula considers factors including population and tax base.

As the largest municipality in the Fundy region, Saint John currently contributes approximately 55% of regional facility funding.

Operating funding supports the day-to-day costs of running a facility, such as utilities, staffing, maintenance, programming, and supplies.

Capital funding supports larger infrastructure projects and major repairs, such as roof replacements, mechanical systems, accessibility improvements, structural repairs, and other long-term investments needed to keep facilities safe and functional.

Capital funding helps pay for major repairs and infrastructure upgrades, such as:

• Roof replacements
• Mechanical system upgrades
• Building improvements
• Accessibility upgrades
• Safety and security enhancements

The Fundy Regional Service Commission's proposed 2027 budget continues regional operating funding for facilities but does not include regional capital funding for most regional facilities.

The proposed exception is the Canada Games Aquatic Centre renewal project.

The need for repairs and upgrades does not disappear when funding is deferred. Some projects may be delayed, while others may eventually need to proceed to address safety, accessibility, maintenance, or operational requirements.

The current discussion focuses on how those future capital needs should be prioritized and funded.

Saint John's position is that regional facilities should have a fair, transparent, and sustainable approach to funding necessary capital projects.

The City supports strong planning, clear priorities, and accountability measures while recognizing that facilities used by the entire region require a long-term funding strategy.

The phrase reflects the view that communities should contribute appropriately toward facilities that benefit residents across the region.

The City believes Saint John should continue paying its share of regional costs, but that the full cost of maintaining regional facilities should not fall solely on Saint John taxpayers.

Like all municipalities, Saint John must balance many competing priorities, including roads, water and wastewater systems, public safety, parks, transit, housing initiatives, and other municipal services.

The discussion is about determining how facilities that serve the broader region can be funded in a way that is sustainable and equitable for all participating communities.

No.

The proposed budget discussion relates to future capital funding and infrastructure investments. Facilities continue to operate and provide services to residents and visitors.

The question under discussion is how future major repairs and upgrades should be funded.

Regional facility budgets form part of the budget process administered through the Fundy Regional Service Commission.

Municipal representatives from participating communities contribute to discussions and decisions regarding regional services and funding.

The City of Saint John's Position

Saint John supports responsible financial planning and recognizes that communities across the region are facing increasing costs.

The City believes:

✅ Regional facilities benefit the entire region

✅ Long-term planning is needed

✅ Capital projects should be prioritized transparently

✅ Strong oversight and accountability are important

✅ Necessary capital costs should be shared fairly

The City is not seeking unlimited spending. Rather, we believe regional facilities should have a sustainable and equitable plan for addressing future capital needs.

Residents are encouraged to:

• Review the proposed budget information.
• Learn more about the regional facilities and their funding.
• Participate in the Fundy Regional Service Commission's consultation process.
• Share comments directly with the Commission during the review period to information@fundyregion.ca

Like homes, schools, and municipal infrastructure, public facilities require ongoing maintenance and periodic replacement of major building components. The timing varies by facility and the type of equipment or infrastructure involved, but planning for these investments helps avoid larger costs in the future.