The Capital Regional District is making its rounds, extolling the benefits of the Juno Awards.
Chris Coleman from the Capital Region Music Awards Society board visited Sidney council Monday night to present the reasons why this region will bid to host the 2014 Juno Awards.
The society hopes to collect $450,000 from the region’s municipalities – just over $1 per person. Saanich has already ponied up $100,000 and Victoria, which will see the biggest economic benefit, pledged $200,000. The provincial government has chipped in too, promising $1.5 million if Greater Victoria is selected by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to become the base for the party.
Coleman asked Sidney for a letter of support, to have one councillor sit on the organizing committee (Coun. Marilyn Loveless is itching for the opportunity) and to find about $11,000 for the society.
Council seemed very interested in the opportunity. The town hopes to see the benefits of the $10 million to $12 million economic multiplier, as Coleman called it, by drawing ferry, private boat and air traffic in to its businesses and services. Plus, the society would consider family-targeted events at the Mary Winspear Centre during the Junos.
There are a handful of bonuses to be had by hosting the Junos in our region. Local musicians would have the chance at shining in the national spotlight – an opportunity not to be missed. Tourist dollars wouldn’t hurt and we might even catch a glimpse of a few celebrities from the Canadian music industry.
On the Peninsula, Sidney may be the only municipality to see a big return from the awards. Butchart Gardens and the Butterfly Gardens aside, Central and North Saanich may not see many tourist dollars.
The society will visit Central and North Saanich councils in the coming weeks. While residents of these municipalities likely wouldn’t say no to having such a prestigious event in our area, it’s hard to see them chalking up the cash to make it happen – the payback may not be there.