Sixty-grand is to be set aside this year to attract bigger acts to the Wesbild Centre. Parks boss Al McNiven says the arena has failed to bring in the big names, partly due to the economy and partly because the venue is not as large as Penticton's. McNiven says the cash will be used to ``share the risk'' of ticket sales. Members rejected a proposal to make that an annual 80-thousand dollar figure. Area B Director Mike Gavinchuk says the arena is under utilized and was not just built for hockey. Area C Director Mike McNabb questioned why the district had to ``sweeten the pot'' but Parks manager Al McNiven told the committee that without encouragement -- events would not happen. He said some attractions bypassed Vernon because the venue was not large enough
-----------More Events At Wesbild Centre?
Peter McIntyre Thursday, 11 February 2010 16:45107.5 KISSFM:
It may be a way to bring more concerts and other entertainment to Wesbild Centre. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is recommending NORD spend up to 60-thousand dollars this year to attract special events to the facility. That would be double what's currently budgeted. Coldstream director Gyula Kiss was the only GVAC member to oppose the motion, saying it's an unnecessary risk for taxpayers. "If you're going to try to subsidize something just to occupy the building, and in order to occupy the building you have to pay extra, that doesn't sound good to me." Swan Lake BX director Mike Gavinchuk is all for the idea, saying the building is basically now just used for hockey. "That's why we put that big building there, not only for hockey. I think hockey's done very well in town, but we have to have other things there." Gavinchuk would like to see events like rodeos, auto shows and religious groups considered. NORD's Parks and Rec manager Al McNiven says the reality is, groups won't come to Vernon unless some of their financial risk is shared by the facility operator.
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