Dec. 14. Beginning Jan. 1, Davidson Parks & Recreation will be implementing a new refund policy for all programs, activities and events run by the Town of Davidson.

In an effort to improve the quality of the department’s program offerings and its relationship with the community, Davidson Parks & Recreation is removing the flat cancellation fee and adopting a solely percentage-based refund structure.

The clearer guidelines will ensure that instructors receive fair payment for the time they’ve invested in their programs.

“Davidson has more closely aligned their policy with ours,” says Troy Fitzsimmons, director of Cornelius Parks & Recreation.

Cornelius refund policy

Fitzsimmons provided this policy: In the event that a registrant cannot participate in a program in which he or she has registered, a 90% refund will be issued when a minimum of fourteen (14) days advance notice is given. If less than fourteen (14) days advance notice is given, a 75% refund will be issued. Once a program has begun, no refund will be given. Please allow up to 30 days for refund processing.

“However, please keep in mind that it may be revised slightly from program to program depending on critical milestones for a program,” Fitzsimmons says. “For example, a typical recreation program will be as noted as below, but a program like youth basketball would be from the draft date as we must know if someone is participating by that point.”

Davidson refund policy details

—Participants wishing to withdraw from a program will be issued a 90 percent refund when requested at least two weeks, 14 full days, prior to the scheduled start date. If a cancellation request is made less than two weeks, 14 full days, before the program start date, a 75 percent refund will be issued. If a cancellation request is made less than one week, seven full days, before the registered program begins, a 50 percent refund will be issued. Participants wishing to withdraw on or after the start date of the program will not be granted a refund of any kind.

—Cancellation requests due to an unforeseen medical and/or hardship condition must be made in writing no later than the first day the participant will be withdrawing in order to be considered for a refund. Participant requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether a refund will be issued or not. In the event that a refund has been granted, the participant will receive a refund for any unattended days after the written cancellation request was made.

—In the event that the Town of Davidson cancels a program, activity, or reservation, a full refund will be issued to all parties. If a program is cut short due to weather or unforeseen circumstance, every effort will be made to extend the program to honor the original scheduled length. In the case that an extension is not possible, refunds in the form of household credits will be made for the time missed.