CLASSIFIEDSADVERTISINGSPECIAL ISSUESONLINE SPORTSOBITUARIESNORTHERN JOBSTENDERS

NNSL Photo/Graphic


Canadian North

Home page text size buttonsbigger textsmall textText size Email this articleE-mail this page

Town lends hand to Jamboree
Council offers free use of recreation complex to king and queen contestants, offers community hall for one-night event to help raise money

Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, February 5, 2015

INUVIK
With the loss of a lucrative bingo night during the annual Muskrat Jamboree, the town has decided to step up and give additional support to the organizing committee to help it meet its financial needs.

Council voted unanimously Jan. 28 to allow king and queen contestants for this year's jamboree in late March to use the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex free of charge to run a fundraising event. The town also voted to allow the jamboree to host an event on a Saturday night where every couple could work together to raise money.

The loss of the bingo, which brings in a significant amount of money to cover overhead costs for the jamboree, has left the organizing committee in a bind, said Coun. Derek Lindsay. He called for the town to step up and alleviate some of the burden.

"We need to help them raise these funds without using taxpayer dollars," said Lindsay, adding the committee didn't come to the town for a cash donation, but donation of town facility space. "It'll shine on us all."

The committee had requested use of a number of town facilities, but Mayor Floyd Roland said the use of the library would have to be arranged with staff there, and the use of the Inuvik Curling Club would have to go through management there. The town leases the curling space to the club and it would be up to them if contestants could use it.

Coun. Joe Lavoie said the jamboree will suffer without the bingo. However, he was concerned with the committee's proposal to give a large portion of the money collected back to the winners. The committee suggested the winning couple get 50 per cent of the money they collected as their prize.

"I don't know if it's fair to donate to people who are going to benefit in the end," he said.

Acting senior administrative officer Gary McBride all but quashed the idea of giving a portion of the money collected when he said it contravenes the town bylaws. Organizations aren't allowed to pay out compensation under fundraising efforts. In the past, the jamboree gave cash prizes or more extravagant winnings like plane tickets or trips, among other things.

Coun. Terry Halifax asked the town to bend its policies for the jamboree because of its long-standing status in the community as Inuvik's premiere event that involved residents of all ages. He also said the concern of some councillors that by donating the space it could set a precedent for the town and open the door to more requests wasn't to be taken seriously.

"I can't see we're going to be getting an outpouring of requests for donation," he said.

E-mailWe welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.