Some Port Moody councillors worry that the city could be the ultimate loser in a talent competition for a $2,000 scholarship.
Council on Tuesday night granted a fee waiver for the Yarilo Music Society to host a talent competition in the Inlet Theatre Feb. 24. The public performance will see young musicians compete before a jury for a $2,000 scholarship.
"It's a great opportunity to get some funding into our young musicians as well as give them exposure to the community," said Coun. Gerry Nuttall in making the motion to grant a waiver for the estimated $600 to $700 in city costs.
But Coun. Diana Dilworth questioned the precedent council would be setting, noting that other dance and musical groups rent the theatre on a regular basis.
"I very much appreciate what Yarilo is doing but I have the concern that if we're going to allow one particular group to get free use of this facility twice in one year that we are going to be inviting a number of other groups," she said, adding, "It's going to be a lot harder to say, 'No' to other groups."
Nuttall said while he respected Dilworth's opinion, "I think that us being the City of the Arts that this falls totally in line with what we're trying to do."
The motion for the waiver passed with Dilworth, Mayor Mike Clay and Coun. Rosemary Small opposed.
