Fireworks burst over Osoyoos Lake in 2014 to end the evening at Cherry Fiesta. (Richard McGuire/file photo)

Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

An ask by the Canada Day Fireworks Committee for a $4,000 increase in provincial Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding was denied by town council last week.

The fireworks committee which fundraises throughout the year to put on the famed Osoyoos Canada Day fireworks, requested $10,000 in RMI funding, a $4,000 increase from the resort municipality funding the group received last year.

Town staff recommended allocating $7,000 to the fireworks committee.

“Even though the fireworks committee is requesting a substantial increase ($10,000) in funding, staff feels that a smaller increase ($7,000) would be more applicable,” Gerald Davis, director of community services for the Town of Osoyoos, stated in a report to council. “The balance of remaining dollars may be an issue if other events need financial support.”

Town council voted at their Feb. 18 regular meeting to grant $7,000 in RMI funding to both the Festival Society and the fireworks committee.

“I think the group still has an opportunity to apply for grant-in-aid for an extra few dollars if so needed,” Coun. Jim King said.

The Festival society requested $7,000, the same amount of funding as last year. The non-profit organization is putting on the 26th annual Easter Eggstravaganza, the 72nd annual Cherry Fiesta and the 32nd Christmas Lite-up this year. The funding offsets expenses for advertising, entertainment for July 1, insurance, traffic control and a marching band for the Cherry Fiesta —  as well as a $2,500 donation towards the Canada Day fireworks

Mayor Sue McKortoff supported the fireworks committee’s ask for an increase in funding.

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“I would much prefer to see $7,000 for the festival society and $10,000 for the fireworks for this year. I realize it doesn’t leave a lot of money in the fund, but we do have other funds that we could use,” McKortoff said.

A Canada Day grant provides funding for the fireworks and festival society as well, she noted.

“I just think this is the 25th anniversary, quite frankly if Frank (Zandvliet) is willing to do a bigger and better show and the fireworks committee is willing to do the fundraising, and they’ve done several already, to get this done, I think we should give the $10,000 and not $7,000.”

Coun. CJ Rhodes agreed with McKortoff, and attempted to create a friendly amendment to change the funding levels, but King denied the request and the vote passed with McKortoff and Rhodes voting in opposition.

“I just want to emphasize that the fireworks committee still has time to submit for a grant, grant-in-aid, it’s due by Feb. 28,” King said after the vote passed.