Cultural agencies receive more funding in budget

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 13, 2010 12:00 PM

Cultural groups could be the big winner in the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee’s budget. As part of the proposed 2010 financial plan, directors have agreed to increase funding for existing cultural agencies as well as adding a new group to the list. “They are great organizations,” said director Patrick Nicol. An extra $5,000 each will go to the Boys and Girls Club, Vernon Public Art Gallery, the Vernon Arts Centre and the Greater Vernon Museum, which have received operating grants for years. Nicol says there’s been a concern about the groups struggling because of the recession and a reduction in provincial support. “They are community-driven and make a dollar go a long way,” said Nicol, adding that the impact on culture and the economy is considerable. And for the first time ever — $15,000 could be directed towards the North Okanagan Artists Alternative’s Gallery Vertigo.

Director Gyula Kiss insists taxpayers’ interests must be considered before new expenditures are approved. “I understand everyone wants money coming in but to satisfy everyone not getting funding from the government, we’d need a lot of money which we don’t have,” he said. Other items also being added to the budget are $135,000 for adult fitness equipment for Polson Park and $15,000 for a herbicide reduction trial program at Marshall Park. As a result of the new items, the tax requisition increase in Vernon, Coldstream and the two electoral areas for parks and recreation has gone from zero to 2.5 per cent. This is a $188,900 increase from $7,634,849 to $7,823,749. Further tweaking of the budget may occur before it goes to the North Okanagan Regional District board March 3 for consideration. “It’s an ongoing process,” said director Mike Macnabb.