Nicolle Hodges | [email protected]
When councillor Scott Wilson said, 鈥渨e鈥檙e paying a lot of money for this,鈥� he wasn鈥檛 wrong.
In October 2019, CN Place, part of Commemoration Park, became home to an $800,000 covered stage. The project was facilitated by Tourism Jasper, with funding partners including CN Rail, other private sector donors and the Province of Alberta.
But the Jim Vena Stage, named after the long-time local and retired CN vice president, needs some work.
Mark Fercho, chief administrative officer for Jasper, put forth a request to council on Tuesday for an additional $138,500.
The Commemoration Park Jasper CN Stage project scope was previously reduced in order to stay within the existing donated $820,000 budget for construction. This was done with the intent to upgrade portions of the stage as time and money permitted.
Fercho believes the time is now but is the money?
His request was broken down into three chunks.
Safety and accessibility measures required to meet code compliance, which includes handrails and curbs to accommodate all types of mobility access to the stage, would cost $25,000.
Another $48,500 is required for stage completion items such as roll-down steel shutter walls and heaters to provide performer comfort in colder conditions.
Finally, the total cost to bring power to the stage - arguably the most important thing when trying to attract bands and big acts - is $65,000.
The vision is that if the stage and park are ready for an event with minimal setup requirements, which this funding would allow, major artists with performances in Edmonton or Vancouver could be secured to stop in Jasper to perform instead of just passing through enroute.
Councillor Bert Journault voiced that while he is in favour of finishing the stage project to make it more presentable, he is not a fan of giving power to the bands to determine their noise levels.
鈥淭he public will support loud noises for festivals and Canada Day, but if we have it so bands can come in, set up on a Sunday afternoon, and prep for their concert in Edmonton, I鈥檓 weary about it,鈥� he said.
Fercho explained that the capability of attracting larger-scale entertainment could create a significant economic opportunity for Jasper.
Councillor Helen Kelleher-Empey was in favour.
鈥淥ur businesses and community will embrace it, and it opens up a whole new degree of economics,鈥� she said.
The stage project will come back to council for decision next Tuesday, February 18.聽
