Chris Puglia
Northern News Services
Friday, July 6, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Folk on the Rocks president Glen Abernethy says the recent controversy between his festival and the Metis Development Corporation was a misunderstanding due to delayed communication between the two groups.

Chris Johnston, CEO of the Metis Development Corporation (MDC), wrote a letter to Folk on the Rocks following receipt of a request for funding package festival organizers send to city businesses each year.

The MDC's letter expressed disappointment about Folk on the Rocks' opposition to an RV park proposed for land adjacent to the festival site.

Johnston's letter made reference to comments made by a Folk on the Rocks board member during a public meeting to discuss the RV park.

"I am curious as to why FOTR has turned down the opportunity for a revenue generator," the letter read.

When Folk on the Rocks did not promptly respond to Johnston's letter it was forwarded to the Yellowknifer. A published article quoted Johnston saying the MDC would be pulling its financial support for the festival.

Abernethy said that according to Folk on the Rocks records, the MDC has not provided financial support to the festival in the past five years.

Johnston concedes that point, but added that this year his organization was considering making a contribution to the festival, although a formal agreement was not in place.

However, the MDC, the majority owner of Aurora World and Plummer's Lodges, decided to once again opt out of supporting the festival based on a belief that Folk on the Rocks was not supporting tourism, the bread and butter of two of the MDC's major holdings.

Following the article's publication, Folk on the Rocks responded to Johnston's letter, clarifying its position.

Abernethy said he believes the confusion stems from an inaccurate perception that Folk on the Rocks is against the development of an RV park.

"Everybody wants an RV park," he said.

"We want tourists badly."

Abernethy said the issue isn't whether or not to build the park, but where to build it.

Yellowknife needs approximately 100 full-service RV sites to address current and future tourism needs, according to the department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Abernethy said even with full development of the Folk on the Rocks site they wouldn't be able to meet that goal.

"Why invest in a site that will never meet their long term needs," said Abernethy. Conversely, Abernethy believes the current site is the best location for Folk on the Rocks.

He believes there isn't enough space or sufficient security downtown to contend with the 3,500 festival-goers who attend over the weekend.

Abernethy doubts the festival could maintain its six stages in a downtown setting. The limited space would mean they would "badly bleed into each other."

Another possible site, the old Rocking Horse Ranch land, Abernethy believes would also not be suitable, but he admits he hasn't fully surveyed the location.

""It's not particularly flat and it's also on a swamp so the bugs would be extremely bad," he said.

"The site we're on is perfect. It's aesthetically pleasing, there is a natural amphitheatre and it's the right size."

Since clarifying Folk on the Rocks' position with the MDC, Johnston said his organization may wish to work with Folk on the Rocks in the future.

"If Folk on the Rocks supports tourism we wish them the best in the world to put on a great festival," Johnston said, he added that the MDC may decide to sponsor the festival next year.