Everyone loves Winter Carnival. For the long nights grooving all over town to Blizzard Fest tunes, for those amazing jibbers at The Game, for the races and much more, we give thanks to those who gave their time, money, and skill to make it all possible.
Volunteerism is certainly the most significant element for success. You can’t buy community spirit, that go-get-’er, up-and-at-’em attitude that fires people up to get out on the streets, the stages, and the slopes at all hours of the day and night with smiles on their faces to help put smiles on others’.
If all these wonderful people who work and organize these events were to charge a “going rate,” the festival would die before it was born.
But it also costs money. As council hashes out the 2011 budget, it’s time to examine the question of cold hard cash.
The city budgets $6,500 each to Winter Carnival and Golden City Days. Taxpayers naturally ask: What is the return for me and my town?
For these festivals, we feel strongly that the benefit is widespread and worth the cost.
Council just decided to slash the Sustainability Commission’s grant by $16,000, sapping its strength to unite diverse groups towards a vision of a better city for all. This doesn’t seem worth the savings of $5 per permanent resident.
For comparison, consider the city-wide benefit of grants to groups with relatively few participants and the option of user fees, such as tennis ($8,400), the pool ($40,900), and curling ($11,300.)
Alternatively, lets buck up and be willing to pay, just like we donate our time.