WORKSHOP - Robert Therres, Public Services Manager
Title
DISCUSS DONATION OFFER FROM BLAINE FESTIVAL FOR BANDSHELL AT AQUATORE PARK
Background
At the July 13 workshop meeting, the City Council discussed a donation offer of $75,000 from the Blaine Festival for the construction of a band shell at Aquatore Park. A band shell is shown in the Parks Master Plan, however the Master Plan has not yet been adopted and the band shell is not in a current Capital Plan. Since that meeting, the Blaine Festival has worked with an architectural firm to show two examples of the type of band shell they are envisioning for Aquatore Park (pictures attached) They also have a revised cost estimate of $800,000, up from the $400,000 listed in the original Parks Master Plan.
At the July 13 workshop, Council had indicated a desire to accept this generous offer with the understanding that it will be several years before a band shell is constructed. The Blaine Festival indicated that they are comfortable making the donation for the band shell knowing the time line. They have also indicated that they could make future donations towards the band shell that could cover up to 50% of its cost.
The Blaine Festival Committee does request that if after three years from the date of the donation no progress has been made towards the construction of a band shell, the Blaine Festival can direct that the donated funds given to other eligible organizations of their choosing.
If the Council is interested in accepting these funds, they would be placed and tracked in a separate fund, in the case they are not spent for their intended purpose so the Blaine Festival can direct them to be spent for other eligible purposes.
Recommendation
Provide feedback on the proposed donation from the Blaine Festival towards a band shell in Aquatore Park. If Council is interested in accepting the donation, staff will prepare an action item for the next City Council meeting.