Thursday, June 30, 2011

Economic Task Force-Rum Runner Days/Thunder in the Valley

What I believe is going to be one of the most controversial recommendations in the Task Force Report is #10 regarding the whole Rum Runner/Thunder in the Valley weekend.
Below we have the Task Force recommendation and there suggestions about how to achieve it.
Some of council is already chomping at the bit to get to this issue, a few meetings back, Councilor Gail asked the CAO if they have received all the financial information from the Fire Dept yet, the previous CAO stated they were still waiting. Early in the year Mayor Decoux wanted administration to find out who owns Thunder in the Valley.
This last meeting Mayor Decoux notified a number of local residents that this year will be the last year that this weekend will be ran the way it’s always been, that next year there will be significant change. Councilor Gail this week also asked if it would not be better for the municipality to take back over the camping along the train tracks to realize that revenue for municipal coffers.

Then to top it all off Mayor Decoux stated that the real cost of this weekend for the municipality will be well in excess of $100,000.

Here is the recommendation and suggestions from the task force on how to enhance the weekend I have put a Note with my comments after each point

10. Review and re-develop Rum Runner Days/Thunder in the Valley with a focus on increasing potential for economic benefit to the community and local businesses:”

Establish a community committee to run Rum Runner Days/Thunder in the Valley with the support of the Tourism Coordinator. Note: This would clearly tie the two events together the arguments have always been made by the affected groups that they are two separate events.

Develop a financial model that is transparent regarding sources and uses of funds and results in profit to the Municipality, local businesses and the event. Note: If the two events are being tied together will all parties share all financial information as requested by Councilor Gail.

Consider payment for parking and bussing into a central location as a revenue generator and resolution for egress problems in the past. Note: Wow what a logistic nightmare, 50 people on a bus even if you forced half the crowd lets say 15000 to get on a bus that 300 bus loads where would you find them, park them and control who gets on which bus.

Consider expanding the event to Thursday night, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Note: great idea in theory lots of work will you find somebody willing to take on this load. There was a public request last year for help to take over the work load that Marion Vanoni as handled for year not a lot of people stepped forward.

Add entertainment by inviting big name acts for Thursday night, Friday night Saturday night before the fireworks, and Sunday afternoon. Many of these entertainers may already be at the South Country Fair, which is the same weekend, and may be able to perform in a sponsored tent located a reasonable distance from residential areas with bussing back and forth from the designated parking. Note: who will put all the money up front to sponsor these events especially the first year, if you want big name acts you will pay big money guaranteed money. Even retro groups like Nazareth, April Wine command $12-15,000 up front money. Do we want to risk taxpayers money on the success of these types of ventures.

Attract sponsorships including approaching Cowboys in Calgary to sponsor and manage the tent, as well as Bacardi Rum for donations of liquor, consistent with the Rum Runner theme. Identify other sponsors in addition to these examples. Note: I was involved with a beer garden once on this weekend if you are going to maintain this weekend as a family event I would like to stay away from this kind of event. In addition, easy to confirm with the RCMP the number of arrests without Beer Gardens as been way down.

Enhance promotion through an integrated campaign building on web site, billboards, radio and social media. Note: Does this event need any more promotion I think anybody within a 300 km radius knows about the event. Also advertising is very expensive who will front those dollars in the first year.

This is going to be a very tough issue to deal with groups that have had control of different aspects are not going to relinquish them freely. There are certain parts of this weekend that are actually owned by groups, will we see a budget item this year to purchase naming rights to Thunder in the Valley. Some people want to grow the event some people want it to go away. Irregardless of what any of us think Mayor and Council seem determined to change this weekend.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What immediatly jumps out at me the Tourism Coordinator, who is going to pay for that position? will it be another municipal employee on top of the five we already hired? Then I see in the Herald this week they are advertising for a plumber. All I can see in front of my eyes is dollar bills and they are all leaving me.

Lets not forget the Economic development officer the report states $80,000 if that includes benefits, car allowance, secretarial support. You are not going to get much of an EDO.

Anonymous said...

"Thunder in the Valley® is not affiliated with Rum-Runner Days."

taken from:

http://thunderinthevalley.ca/

seems to be a quite an issue if you have to put it on your website

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

1:35 its not me that's saying they are affiliated, its the Task Force report that's tying the two together. Read my post again.

Anonymous said...

Why are they wasting time on this? Changes won't be coming until next year! They should be concentrating on issues that need to be dealt with NOW...

Anonymous said...

why not:)

Anonymous said...

There will be a big surprise coming on Thunder in the Valley. The municipality better have some big money if they think they are taking this away for free, they are dreaming.

peter rosner said...

the weekend event is still a good thing for the community it just needs to be scaled back a bit. but like the saying goes pandoras box has been opened and how do you go back. Does the reported $100,000 cost for the municipality really goe back into the community.Is their any spinoff or long term economic benefit.I do know this the money spent on this event would have went a long way if it had been invested in an outdoor sporting complex. I suspect this column will get a lot of attention after this weekend.

Anonymous said...

I urge people of Crowsnest to have a look at Merrit Mountain Music Fest. They tried to make it too big and look where it stand now. Wouldn't be surprised if it there is a mountain music fest next year.

Plumber Crows Nest said...

There will be a big surprise coming on Thunder in the Valley.They tried to make it too big and look where it stand now.