Duane Hicks
A financial request from the “Fun in the Sun” committee for extra funds for the July 1 fireworks this year is back on the agenda for town council’s consideration tonight.
This matter previously had been decided at the April 26 meeting of council, at which time council agreed to a recommendation of the Administration and Finance executive committee to contribute $5,000—not the $10,000 requested—to the Canada Day celebration.
But the matter has been brought back for reconsideration by council after the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended the town finance the fireworks display up to an additional $5,000 for this year only.
The EDAC also said it will work with the “Fun in the Sun” committee to determine the future of Canada Day festivities here.
EDAC chair Bill Gushulak said the committee felt the “Fun in the Sun” committee doesn’t have a lot of time to start fundraising at this point, and seeing how the town has ben contributing the same grant amount ($5,000) for years, council should consider pitching in up to $5,000 in extra cash this year.
“The whole community and
district, from both sides of the border, seem to really enjoy the fireworks celebration, whether it’s July 1 and/or July 4,” noted Gushulak.
“There seems to be a fair bit of pleasure derived from it, and even though things are tough, we felt it was a good community thing to do with the intent that over the next six-eight months, a meeting should be held with ‘Fun in the Sun’ to see what would be the plan for next year.
“Whether we’re going to get fundraisers going, rejuvenate the committee, rejuvenate the plan, make it a one-day activity and lessen the overall cost of the ‘Fun in the Sun’ itinerary,” he added.
“We can appreciate council’s difficult position, not having money to put into this at this time, but for the community, it’s almost an expected thing,” Gushulak explained.
He noted the fireworks tend to be family event, and when you hear the “oohs” and “ahhs” from the children when they see them, it’s hard to put a price on that.
Gushulak pointed out the EDAC recommended council contribute “up to” another $5,000, adding that if they elect to contribute less than that, maybe “Fun in the Sun” could try some quick, last-minute fundraising, like coin boxes or a money collection held among the crowd gathered the night of the fireworks.
Or possibly scale back the fireworks display altogether.
“Maybe we don’t need to go for the whole enchilada,” Gushulak remarked. “Maybe we can go for half a blast.
“It’s just a matter of having something,” he stressed.
