The City of Moncton is tacking on $351,000 to the cost of the downtown events centre.
At Council last night, approval was granted in an 8 – 1 vote to hire Ketchum Canada Inc to consult on fundraising $5 million.
Councillor Paul Pellerin voted against the motion, in part because the cost was not factored into the original downtown centre proposal.
Councillors Paulette Theriault, and Pierre Boudreau were absent for the vote.
City Purchasing Manager Tanya Carter says the cost is split into three components.
“They will be doing a capacity assessment which is in the mid 30,000s, that again will determine whether or not there is support within the community for the $5 million fundraising goal, and if we need to adjust our expectations,” says Carter.
Acting City Manager Don MacLellan explains how the money will be spent.
“It’s about $38,000 in the case and capacity assessment, $17,000 on creating the business pitch,” says MacLellan. “The rest comes in the form of monthly costs for coaching us through that campaign.”
Mayor Dawn Arnold asked City Deputy Treasurer Gregg Houser what would happen if this wasn’t approved.
“If we don’t go ahead, then we’ll have to find that $5 million in other sources within the Capital [Budget], whether that be within the Capital Program itself, within reserves we’ve accumulated, or within adding to the Capital Budget so it does increase the net cost,” says Houser.
City Council heard staff did not have the expertise to run a campaign of such magnitude, so a request for proposal was sent out.
