Chamber asks council to consider centre funding change
By Dan Singleton
Round Up staff
Pull quote: “Every year we seem to be getting more and more financially in trouble” - Sherry Tytkanych, chamber president.
The Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce has put forward an official request that the Town of Sundre become more involved in the funding of the visitor information centre.
During last week's council meeting, chamber president Sherry Tytkanych tabled a request that the town and chamber enter into an agreement of service contract for the centre.
Located on Main Avenue in east Sundre, the centre provides information on businesses, tourist destinations and other things to visitors throughout the summer months. The facility is owned by the chamber, with the majority of current funding coming from the chamber member fees and chamber fundraising.
Running the centre has created a significant financial burden on the chamber, said Tytkanych.
“Every year we seem to be getting more and more financially in trouble,” she said, noting that if changes in funding are not found “we are going to have to walk away from it.”
Under the proposed three-year contract, the Town of Sundre would contribute $10,000 per year for the next three years to help with the cost of operating the centre.
“We pay a lot to run the information centre and the reason we are asking for this contract is because we can ask them for $16,000 or $10,000 and then next spring they could give us $2,000 and then we'd be really up the creek,” said Tytkanych.
Coun. Chris Vardas asked Tytkanych if the $10,000 a year town contribution would allow the centre to remain open year-round. She said yes.
Coun. Patricia Toone said she would like the proposed agreement for service contract issue to go before an upcoming governance committee meeting for further consideration.
“We need more financial information,” said Toone.
Councillors passed a motion sending the matter to an upcoming governance meeting for further discussion.
Following the council meeting, Tytkanych said she is pleased council will be looking at the proposed contract.
“We'd like to hear from them by the first of March so we know where we are heading in to tourist season,” she said.
