Visitor centre loses funding

Having a smiling student in the visitor’s centre to promote local tourism will be supported by the city this year after the province backed out on funding.

“Many visitors’ centres have had their funding cut,” Corryn Grayston, general manager of the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce, told city council.

Coun. Chad Eliason moved that the city take the $4,100 necessary budget from council initiatives, and write both to Service Canada and federal representative Colin Mayes.

“If they speak to tourists and get them to stay in town and spend money here, it’s money well spent.”

Coun. Marg Kentel pointed out if the city takes on the responsibility of covering the summer student budget this year, the province might expect the city to cover it every year and not pay for students anymore.

Grayston agreed that funding is definitely in jeopardy in the future, and said the city needs to expect that.

Coun. Kevin Flynn pointed out that there is a very subtle downloading of expenses to the municipalities from the provincial government.

“We are taking more of a brunt and more of a load.”

Coun. Ivan Idzan agreed, and said getting the province to deliver funding was an issue last year and the year before as well.

“Their criteria and approval process is somewhat suspect.”