PGX Gets Another Cash Injection

Thursday, June 17, 2010 03:25 PM

Prince George, B.C.- The PG Exhibition has received a cash infusion from the Regional District of Fraser Fort George.

The PGX had requested $14 thousand dollars, a doubling of the amount usually donated by the Regional District. The Directors agreed to make donations from their individual "community grant in aid" accounts.

As a result of those area donations, the PGX will get $10,500.

The Ex is facing a very difficult year because of a variety of issues. There is the impact of the HST, the loss of gaming funds, and a lawsuit they have to pay out. The City of Prince George has recently approved giving the PGX a $45 thousand dollar loan that must be repaid within 5 years.

The Ex has taken its own steps to deal with the funding crunch including:

Raising Kid’s Day Rate from free, to $2.00.
The Free child rate has been reduced from aged 5 and under, to age 3 and under.
The dance ticket prices have been raised from $10 to $15.
Logger Sports competition and other internal operations have been streamlined, in an effort to reduce costs without risking community and business support with a sub-standard product.
PGX has applied for a daily 50/50 draw, and is actively seeking volunteers to sell tickets.
Staff costs have been dramatically reduced, and include laying off the General Manager from February 2010 until closer to the exhibition dates; a part time staff has been laid off since November 2009,however, both staff have continued to work as volunteers and are putting in full time hours.

The PGX board has tabled a proposal to increase the cost of general, student and senior admission tickets until 2011.

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Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2010 03:25 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: wantsfun on June 17 2010 9:21 PM

The PGX and all exhibitions are something to be looked upon for fun and enjoyment to the young and the old. They have been around a long time, the problem with todays exhibitions are that they are too commercial and need to go back to the roots. The food is too expensive the rides are getting expensive and everything costs too much. Product is what will get the people back, volume is what you want not cut backs. Bring in new rides and up the entertainment don't make it stale with the same old fairway and entertainment, give and ye shall get..Businesses should come by and promote there products at the old prices or give away some freebees no gouging..Make it Fun Fun Fun again thats what the consumer wants...and again I say PRODUCT....Do this and you will never need to borrow cash....

Posted by: DPJ on June 17 2010 10:21 PM

$45,000 should of been a grant instead of a loan. NOBODY wants to loose the PGX.

Posted by: gus on June 17 2010 11:12 PM

"Do this and you will never need to borrow cash...."

Do that and you would be a miracle worker.

I cannot see a group that runs the PGX as being in it for the money. I no longer have little kids, so whenever we go, it is out of curiosity every few years. It appears to me that most everything, other than the rides and food is free. 4H, wagon racing, dresage, all the local hobby contests, much of the music, walking around to take in the sounds of the carneys and the smells of the food that is so bad for you.

Things are getting more expensive all around. Fact of life.

Posted by: wantsfun on June 18 2010 12:25 AM

Never said the PGX was in it for the Money. The Vendors and rides are. We need new things and more things of excitment on the midway to bring people in. You go every few years "gus" If it was of great interest you would go every year. Thats the point. All the free things are great and keep them coming just AD More...and get rid of the stale.old midway stuff...

Posted by: omygod on June 18 2010 3:35 AM

The PGX was to expensive already for what is there. If you have traveled around the world at all you would see that the PGX is nothing more than a cash grab by them and all the food shops and other things on the grounds the rides are so over priced it is a shame, to bad this city doesn't have places to give kids some free fun. Everyone on site is paying them money to be there and everyone going in is paying so where is there problem ...court case ...poor managment I guess. I will never go to the PGX ever again.

I guess they think like our city hall people...keep raising the price that will answer the problem. City Hall has raised taxes 10 years in a row even during hard times.

Posted by: DPJ on June 18 2010 9:43 AM

The food vendors rent the space from the PGX and set their own high prices. May be an idea for PGX to raise the rent for them a bit.

Posted by: gus on June 18 2010 10:52 AM

That may be an idea.

I am sure their idea then would be that they would raise the price of food and rides.

I am also sure that the idea of some people would be not to come at all or come less often.

I am also sure that the PGX organizers have considered such matters.

There is a fine balance in setting price points. Eventually more and more people will not shop for your product.