THUNDER BAY – The city’s pop culture and fan convention has received a $15,000 boost from council.
Thunder Bay city council on Monday night approved a funding grant for ThunderCon, in advance of their two-day event next month.
The request, which was brought forward by Coun. Shelby Ch’ng, provides the financial to the event, with money raised from the event to be reimbursed to the city. The money is to initially be allocated from the stabilization reserve fund, but it would be offset by revenues collected from the newly implemented municipal accommodation tax.
“I believe this is something that is in the spirit of how and why this money is collected,” Ch’ng said. “I think it’s a great program and is going to bring dollars to our community. I know a number of the small business owners that operate out of there have grown their business immensely.”
ThunderCon organizers had appeared before council last month to ask for assistance to help cover the costs of bringing celebrity guests to this year’s event, after a previous application before the city’s community, youth and cultural funding program had been denied.
The convention attracts around 4,500 people and the economic impact of the two-day event has been calculated at $1.7 million.
Coun. Aldo Ruberto said the funding ask is a relatively small investment for the city that can generate a larger return for the community.
“These are the types of things we do want. They’re creative, they’re started by volunteers and run by volunteers, they go out and get the money, do all of the work, rent the facility, get sponsors, put on the event and it draws people to our city, who in turn spend money and that’s good for our businesses,” Ruberto said.
“I wish more people would do this. I love it. I love when volunteers take on the responsibility for our tourism and economic development we’re trying to do.”
City manager Norm Gale said administration recommended against providing the money, though it shouldn’t be seen as a sign that ThunderCon is not worthy of support.
Instead, Gale said, approving the request would operate outside of both council’s budgetary process as well as through the normal means where organizations and events are directed to seek funding.
“There are many organizations that have applied through the process, through the cultural grant funding that met the deadlines, provided the required and requisite information yet were denied,” Gale said.
“Now we have a question of fairness and whether another organization comes in outside of that process and receives funding at your direction, with your decision, impugns upon the process that you’ve already well established. The City of Thunder Bay is not a lending agency.”
Coun. Rebecca Johnson, who was the lone vote against approving the funding, said council should either stay within its process or set up a new fund.
“I have concerns about the fact that organizations – and it’s got nothing to do necessarily with ThunderCon – come to us because they need some dollars and we’re always very generous,” Johnson said.
“We have many organizations that also find out after the fact and have to wait another year for their particular program funding. I’m adverse to actually doing this.”
