At $96,000 in debt, it’s starting to sound like this is not a viable event. Time to up the fees and get the users to pay instead of begging the city for relief.

Why does everyone seem to expect the taxpayer to bail them out?

I seriously doubt that 100 years ago there was any fees and rents like “parking lot rental”. Greed always seems to conquer.
Everybody seems to forget how much the Exhibition has put into this city over the last century. I couldn`t imagine what it would be like had we never had one.

Everybody seems to forget how much the Exhibition has put into this city over the last century.

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Times have changed, the days of Farmers needing to show off their livestock in order to sell them are long over. This thing hasn’t put anything into the city in a very long time.

Axman, I think our generations, born between 1955-1975. It would be fair to say we don’t look at livestock as a source to buy product. However, the generation after us, are a lot more in touch with the changing world, and are more likely to support the 4H and organizations like that.

I am quite surprised that Alex Huber will ask the council to forgive the loan. I wouldn’t support that approach. I think working with the city to pay the loan off is the right approach.

they are in the hole 96k, of which 32k is the city. I think it is plausible that the debt can be paid off in 3-4 years. Ask for an extension.

I gave up going to any of these things in PG, like PGX, Homeshows, etc when it became nothing more than a bunch of inappropriate vender venues selling crap like plastic trinkets from China at homeshows and rides became 5 to 15 bucks a pop. If I want to be inundated with cheap crap from China I will go to Walmart, at least I don’t have to pay to go in the doors.

Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 @ 7:27 AM by He spoke

Axman, I think our generations, born between 1955-1975. It would be fair to say we don’t look at livestock as a source to buy product. However, the generation after us, are a lot more in touch with the changing world, and are more likely to support the 4H and organizations like that.

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Sounds like you’re advocating for the Fair to return to its roots? I’m all for that, the best part -to me- of the current incarnation is the 4H show.

Bent, been there. however if you already know that there is crap at these type of things, and you have the time. A different angle is to go there and find a few things that are not on the crap list and enjoy it.

Went to the BCNE, enjoyed the rodeo, enjoyed the horse pulls, enjoyed the cook offs, enjoyed the variety of music on the live stage, enjoyed the concession stands. Of course the mini donuts.

Life can be as dark as you want it to be!

If that fails, I think you should move to a happier place…. if you can find that place.

Mayor Hall, says the City needs to “have a serious look at these kind of operations and what they mean to the City economically.”

So I guess the PAC can finally be put to bed ?

Sorry for the derail .

So I guess the PAC can finally be put to bed ?

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Depends on where CUPE stands on the matter.

I guess the question is, how much do they pay the city for rent to utilize the facilities, would anyone else pay to rent the facilities on that same weekend. If no one wants it that weekend, then if the event is cancelled, the city loses that rent. If that rent, is greater than the loan, then the city loses.

“I gave up going to any of these things in PG, like PGX, Homeshows, etc when it became nothing more than a bunch of inappropriate vender venues selling crap like plastic trinkets from China at homeshows and rides became 5 to 15 bucks a pop. If I want to be inundated with cheap crap from China I will go to Walmart, at least I don’t have to pay to go in the doors.”

BENT.. You are right about the trinkets etc that many vendor sell at there types of fairs, and also about the cost of carnival rides.

But your comment about Wal Mart is ill considered, and actually you will find an abundance of name brand merchandise that is also sold in The
Bay, Sears, Best Buy, Staples, Super Stores etc. etc.

In addition Wal Mart creates a couple hundred full and part time jobs in Prince George directly and indirectly and they pay above the minimum wage.

And they are the largest corporation charity donators in Canada, helping a multitude of organization the give help to those in need.

So my point continues..Wal Mart is doing its duty as a good corporate citizen in Prince George and doesn’t deserve to be likened to a vendor of cheap crap from China.

Once again City Council is showing their lack of vision. Does not the PGX/BCNE draw people from out of town? Do they not perhaps not only enjoy the Exhibition but perhaps go to local restaurants, stores and hotels? Why doesn’t the City get behind the Exhibition and make an even greater and more attractive event? Really we actually charge a parking lot rental? Seriously? I’m surprised the Exhibition can do the job they do with the venue the City offers. I guess they get a little used from the CN Centre, but the building used for displaying crafts was build in WW2 and doesn’t look like any improvements since then. Yikes. The City Leaders need to stand not only behind the Exhibition but also the Railway Museum and make the tourist attractions. I mean is there anybody at City Hall who has an imagination? What about our new communications person? What’s he doing these days for almost $200 grand a year?

“Huber says the fair was successful last year”

He sounds like IPG. Almost $100,000 in debt, but they are successful.

Where are the records? I went to the web site and I cannot even access an annual report let alone a financial statement that shows that they made money last year and plans for the next 5 years that show that in the worst case scenario they will all have been able to pay off their debts.

I agree Cheetos. The problem with “cost recovery” or pure economic arguments, is that they often only look at conventional indicators, like dollars in and dollars out. They often don’t recognize those things that are difficult or impractical to try and measure, yet are obviously still positive contributors. Things like how an event builds community spirit, how it draws people in from other areas that wouldn’t be in town otherwise, how it preserves the history within the city, etc.

So, I see three options:

1) The city could come up with a way to measure the “non-fiscal” impact of these things, and use those measures in conjunction with the fiscal indicators to determine whether support is warranted.

2) They could take a “leap of faith” approach and blindly give money to stuff that they think is needed.

3) They could simply go by “dollars and cents” and ignore the reality that many things can’t be properly evaluated in that manner.

I’d suggest option one. The problem is that measuring stuff like this often isn’t as easy as it sounds. On the flip side though, if you can do it properly, your decision making process will be fully informed and your actions can be supported and rationalized.

I think this is especially important for the public sector for two reasons. The first is that tax dollars obviously need to be utilized wisely. The second is because governments are responsible for things that can be hard to evaluate in conventional ways.

Cheeto’s and NMG make sense.