Festival Players general manager Courtney Quebec speaks to the committee of the whole on October 27, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
A long-time professional theatre group will have to get creative in finding ways to pay back its tab to rent Milford’s Mount Tabour this past season.
Festival Players general manager Courtney Quebec had come to the committee of the whole two weeks ago as a last ditch effort to secure more grant funding to help pay the $4,100 owing. In the 2016 budget period, the group received about $20,000 in grants. At the time Quebec explained how the group lost out on provincial grant funding and they had fallen into a $24,000 deficit. The committee had hesitations but decided to see if there were any monies left over from the Community Grant Fund to help the group out.
On Tuesday, Chief Administrative Officer James Hepburn told council there was $4,500 left in the 2016 fund but $1,000 would be needed on Thursday to help the Feed the Meter campaign.
Many councillors voiced concerns about setting a precedent for other groups coming back to council within the same budget period for financial support.
Jamie Forrester admitted he has always been big on not working outside the budget however he put a motion on the floor that would see the group receive $2,500 to help with their bills. He pointed to council giving out funds for hockey purchases for the Picton Pirates.
His motion lost and council ultimately turned down the funding request.
