Dunkirk is moving forward with its winter recreation program, with city officials asserting that it is a money-maker.

The Common Council recently renewed the city’s annual lease at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds for program space.

Mayor Kate Wdowiasz encouraged councilors to vote for the lease. “That is actually a revenue generator for the city during the winter months from the rec department,” she said of the program.

Councilperson Natalie Luczkowiak asked for extra reassurance that the program is profitable. “In light of our monetary problems, I just wanted to make sure that we did make a profit last year, and that factors in salaries and utilities,” she said.

“So it does,” Wdowiasz said. “We made approximately $4,000 last year in the winter rec program. That did not include anybody’s salaries or anything, that was straight up profit from the winter rec program.”

The mayor added that the city has asked for a reduction in the lease “because we do the maintenance and pay the utilities” for the program. She hadn’t heard back yet but wanted the lease resolution approved anyway, so organization of this year’s program can move ahead.

Alexis Tofil, city recreation department director, advocated for retaining the winter program at several council workshops in October. She also said the program makes a profit for the city.

With the city in a fiscal crisis, and considering a 2025 budget proposal, councilors brought up the winter rec program as a possible place to make cuts and save money. However, it was clear they had little appetite for slashing the program — and lost what appetite they had, when told it is actually a money-maker.