Calgary’s festivals will be receiving a boost from the city for this year and upcoming ones.
Council agreed to a motion that would see festivals save a maximum of 25 per cent on city fees for 2009.
“To me this is very important; there are some (festivals) that are on the ropes financially and could use that boost,” said Ward 12 Ald. Ric McIver.
McIver said he proposed the motion because he feels that festivals are part of what makes Calgary a great place to live.
The 25 per cent savings on city fees will also be passed on to festivals that have already taken place this year.
“Some of the festivals that have already gone forward have had financial difficulty and this gives them an opportunity to get their bills paid and live to fight another day,” said McIver.
Festivals will also be seeing relief in 2010 and 2011 as the city has allocated $1 million for 2010 and $1.5 million for 2011 to help support public festivals and events on city-owned land.
