Council approves community and culture funding

City council has given the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium a helping hand.

Council voted to accept a recommendation to approve for the 2013-operating budget for the community and cultural funding program. More than $2.1 million will be allocated to a number of community organizations. The Auditorium received the largest amount at more than $685,000 in order to help stabilize its finances.

The city has already allocated more than $1.2 million to the Community Auditorium over the past two years.

Bev Ball, the city’s manager of recreation and culture, said the funding will be used to look at putting in a new administrative person who will assist in the day-to-day tasks. The city is also looking into bringing in a third party to help look into financial stability.

“When you look at their revenue and expenditures they have done a tremendous job of reducing costs over the years,” Ball said. “It’s the cost of doing business; it’s the cost of providing a quality experience for the citizens.”

The auditorium originally requested $725,000 but after an appeal, the amount administration recommended a 10 per cent increase from last year.

Ball said the appeal committee found that it was the right time to give them that increase.

“This program is purely on the operating budget and looking at ways that the city will support them in meeting their goals,” she said.
Other projects that received funding included:

• The Thunder Bay Historical Museum -- $382,700
• Thunder Bay Art Gallery -- $242,734
• Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra -- $234,289
• The Shelter House -- $200,000
• Definitely Superior Art Gallery -- $130,732
• Regional Food Distribution Association -- $95,000
• Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame -- $67,000

In other business, council passed the 2013 budget calendar.

The matter was pushed back after council decided that they wanted all members to attend as much of the budget process as possible.

Council will receive the budget Thursday giving the public a chance to see it on Friday. The new schedule will have the long-term financial overview on Feb. 5 followed by the public pre-budget consultation meeting and then the council review and approval of rate supported budget.

Council’s review and approval of the tax-supported budget is scheduled for three days; on the Feb. 6, the Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 if they need more time.

The ratification would then take place on March 4.