Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 26, 2010 7:00 PM
The jingle-jangle of tax dollars could be sweet music for the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. On Monday, Vernon council decided that it would look at a funding request from the non-profit OSO. “A symphony in our locale is a cultural benefit. It supports our performing arts building,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. “We have to find a way that it’s sustainable in Vernon.” The North Okanagan Regional District provides $6,043 annually to the symphony, and of that, $3,594 comes from the city. “The funding has not changed for decades so it’s reasonable to bump it up,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol. The OSO is seeking $50,000 from the city and NORD, but Nicol believes $9,000, which is what Penticton contributes, is more likely.
OSO is seeking funding from communities valley-wide after $147,000 in provincial funds were lost last year. A further reduction of $60,000 in gaming revenue is anticipated for 2010/11. Coun. Shawn Lee pointed out that any help from the city would be a result of provincial downloading. “When arts groups come to us, I get concerned about taking up a shortfall from other jurisdictions,” he said. Council’s finance committee will discuss the grant request, and determine whether it should be handled through the city or through NORD. The other NORD communities that provide funding to the OSO are Coldstream, Lumby, BX-Swan Lake, BX-Silver Star, rural Lumby and rural Enderby.
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