After spending $70,000 in 2017 to support multiple events taking place in the community, Canmore council was reluctant to go further with its generosity and waive event permitting fees for one specific event as well.
The Plaid Goat Bike Festival was one of several special events council chose to support through grant funds this year in the absence of a destination marketing organization in the community after the folding of Canmore Business and Tourism.
General manager of municipal services Sally Caudill was in front of council to make the request for a fee waiver of $4,712, the amount it would cost for the mountain biking event to rent Centennial Park, the bike skills park and the use of waste bins for the event.
“We charge permitting fees mostly to for-profit events,” she told council. “Technically, this event would fit as a for-profit event, although that does not necessarily mean it is profitable.”
Canmore local Wanda Bogdane has spearheaded the inaugural Plaid Goat event and, while it is not a registered non-profit, the goal of the first-year event is to create something that draws visitors and fits the local culture and community interests.
Caudill told council the waste bin rental is directly related to toward zero waste and the use of the recycling trailer by the event to divert waste from the landfill.
She noted, however, that other non-profit events in the community have been benefiting from services being provided by the municipality without charge and administration hopes to find out what that is worth for each event this year.
“We are looking at our permit fee model and tracking this summer what we are giving to events in kind to have a better sense of our contributions and work with council on whether or not we want that practice to continue,” Caudill said.
In November, council voted to support four events, including the Plaid Goat Bike Fest with a $25,000 grant. The other events funded were the Canadian National Bike Championship for $10,000; the 2017 Cross Country Ski Championship for $15,000; and Canmore Folk Music Festival for $20,000.
Permit fees for the Plaid Goat event were requested at the same time, but council postponed consideration until it could understand the value of those fees.
Councillor Sean Krausert put forward a successful motion to only waive the fees for rental of the park space, but not for use of equipment and staff time.
“I am quite pleased council has been able to step up after Canmore Business and Tourism ceasing operations last summer and is able to provide funding through a grant,” said Krausert, adding he was prepared to support a fee waiver of $1,302.
Krausert pointed out the Town of Canmore’s streets and roads department has faced growing pressure to support events held in the community, including road closures, and the set up and take down of the weekly Mountain Market.
“We have to track these items and if people use them they should pay for them unless it is something we are willing to provide,” he said.
Mayor John Borrowman felt the $18,300 grant for the event and the $25,000 was enough support.
“I won’t support this motion even though it is a small amount of money,” Borrowman said. “I think $25,000 in funding from the Town to this event (is sufficient).”
