PGSO Request Out of Tune With fiscal Realities At City Hall

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George Symphony Orchestra says it has made some progress in trying to revise its business plan and work its way out of debt,  but it was back before  Council tonight requesting   a cash boost of $100 thousand a year for the next three years.  That’s $40  thousand more  than   it currently gets from the City each  year.   

The request hit a chord and some sour notes with some members of  Council.

The boost in the request wasn’t lost on Councilor Cameron Stolz “I  appreciate you need more funding,   but from my perspective,  I don’t see it coming from the city.”

In August, the PGSO came to Council asking for a funding injection  because  of debt.  While it was given $20 thousand dollars, that wasn’t anywhere near enough to climb out of out the $250 thousand dollar hole the orchestra finds itself in.

Still, the Orchestra says it is making progress :

·        It has  trimmed $187 thousand from its expenses

·        increased season ticket holders to 315 subscribers (up from 134 in 08.09) and exceeded the  budgeted revenue target by $10,000

·        raised $45,000 in community donations for the  Turnaround Fund

·        exceeded  budgeted ticket revenue by $5000 in our opening concerts

·        Secured $14,000 in new sponsorship money

·        recruited and held orientation for new volunteers

·        secured $50,000 towards the $150,000 which the PGSO aims to raise by May 2010

Councilor Don Basserman says while he would like to be able to  fund the PGSO “We’re  in  a bit of a pickle” because of the significant budget challenges being faced by the City this year.  A similar message was delivered  by  Councilor Garth Frizzell who  says  while he agrees with the letters of support for  the PGSO  “It’s difficult to  afford frankly”.

Council voted to send the request to City Staff, who  will be expected to come back with a multi year agreement  that has a price attached.

Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George Symphony Orchestra says it has made some progress in trying to revise its business plan and work its way out of debt,  but it was back before  Council tonight requesting   a cash boost of $100 thousand a year for the next three years.  That’s $40  thousand more than   it currently gets from the City.   

The request hit a chord and some sour notes with some members of  Council.

The boost in the request wasn’t lost on Councilor Cameron Stolz “I  appreciate you need more funding,   but from my perspective,  I don’t see it coming from the city.”

In August, the PGSO came to Council asking for a funding injection  because  of debt.  While it was given $20 thousand dollars, that wasn’t anywhere near enough to climb out of out the $250 thousand dollar hole the orchestra finds itself in.

Still, the Orchestra says it is making progress :

·        It has  trimmed $187 thousand from its expenses

·        increased season ticket holders to 315 subscribers (up from 134 in 08.09) and exceeded the  budgeted revenue target by $10,000

·        raised $45,000 in community donations for the  Turnaround Fund

·        exceeded  budgeted ticket revenue by $5000 in opening concerts

·        Secured $14,000 in new sponsorship money

·        recruited and held orientation for new volunteers

·        secured $50,000 towards the $150,000 which the PGSO aims to raise by May 2010

Councilor Don Basserman says while he would like to be able to  fund the PGSO “We’re  in  a bit of a pickle” because of the significant budget challenges being faced by the City this year.  A similar message was delivered  by  Councilor Garth Frizzell who  says  while he agrees with the letters of support for  the PGSO  “It’s difficult to  afford frankly”.

Council voted to send the request to City Staff, who  will be expected to come back with a proposal for a multi year agreement  that has a price attached.

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