Prince George, B.C.- Prince George Exhibition is in need of some assistance. Like many other organizations, it has been hit hard by a cut in gaming funds.

In the case of the PGX the amount has been reduced by half, and there has been little time for the PGX to react to the shortfall. The other financial hit was the settlement of a lawsuit. The suit was launched in 2008 and was set to go to trial in the lower mainland this month. The PGX opted instead to settle out of court rather than face legal fees associated with court time. 

The case  involved  Shooting Star Amusements suing the PGX for breach of contract.  The  PGX is not allowed to outline the specific allegations, but  says had it not been for a local law firm doing pro bono work, the PGX would have been "under"  a year ago.  The  out of court settlement was for $32,700 and  the PGX did not have to sign any admission of guilt. The  settlement is due by the end of August.

The PGX  has requested the City give it a loan of $50 thousand dollars which would be paid back over 5 years.

Councilor Brian Skakun wanted to know why  the PGX doesn't just boost the price by 50 cents a ticket? GM Terri McConnachie says  there will be some other ideas,  like 50-50 draws on site, and its possible the  kids day will no longer be free,  that  children will have to pay a twoonie to  get on site "It's really heart wrenching" says McConnachie "We are trying to  remove barriers  so people can  attend,  but at the same time, we are really stretched to  provide a quality event."

Last year, the fair  broke attendance rcords with  44 thousnd people through the gates, and this year, team penning  has attracted another 100 teams to bring that up to  400 registered teams so it is expected attendance will be higher.

The PGX is not the only  organization in  Prince George feeling the pain of the  cuts to gaming grants, but McConnachie says  the lawsuit has to be paid out August 30th, and the two  items are combining to make  a very difficult year.

Councillor Murry Krause says  he supports referring the request to Administration, because  this is about a loan, not a grant, and  he applauds the PGX for  trying to keep the event affordable so that everyone in a family can attend "So often when  the price is raised, it  gets beyond what  a family can afford and  attendance drops off."

The matter has been referred to Administration to see  how such a loan could be arranged.

Mayor Dan Rogers says he looks forward to further scrutiny of the request but "If ever there was an organization that deserved assistance, this would be it."