Pride Collingwood organizers appealed to a committee of council this week for financial and in-kind support of the 2023 festival and got more than they bargained for.
While it still has to pass a vote, Collingwood council members supported a $10,000 cash donation to the festival, another $10,000 of in-kind services, plus touch-ups to the town’s rainbow crosswalk in time for the July event. The committee also supported the idea of including support for the local Pride festival in the annual budget discussions for future years.
The motion was brought forward by Coun. Kathy Jeffery and got unanimous support from the rest of the council members on the corporate and communications committee during the meeting on April 3, which included a presentation by Pride organizing committee members Dr. John Miller and Michelle Kemper.
Kemper explained the festival budget this year is $300,000, which includes financial and in-kind support from sponsors, there’s still about $135,000 to raise. A combined contribution from the town amounting to $25,000 would make the town a title sponsor of the event.
Kemper argued there were many reasons for the town to support the event, including the economic impact to the town of having crowds there for Pride, the championing of diversity and inclusivity, and the momentum of the festival.
“We’ve started this rock rolling down the hill and we don’t want to stop it,” said Kemper. “I’m hoping this festival grows to be the signature event in Collingwood.”
Last year was the first in-person Pride festival event in town, and the first Pride parade, which organizers estimate drew a crowd of about 5,000. This July, the event will be set up with a main stage in the parking lot behind Eddie Bush Memorial Arena, as well as several satellite events. Miller will be attending Toronto Pride and is working on a way to promote the Collingwood event while he’s there.
Council did ask staff where the money could come from for the financial donation and whether it meant they would be on the hook for supporting other events that come asking for donations.
The town’s director of parks, recreation, and culture, Dean Collver, said the only avenue in place right now for event support is the $50,000 awarded annually through the community recreation grants. Pride Collingwood received $5,000 from that pot this year.
Collver said there’s a need to create a new framework for the town to decide how events are supported. He also tried to set council’s mind at ease about sending town money to a volunteer run event.
“Opportunities like the Pride festival and what it brings to the community deserve a different lens than some others,” said Collver. “And I will say … that we’re quite confident working with Pride on this and there’s are a lot of reasons to provide the support. It’s an exceptionally strong organizing committee, one of the most organized I’ve seen, and the will and expertise they have on hand I know will make it a success for the community. So it’s a very low risk from the standpoint of supporting.”
Coun. Jeffery, when suggesting her motion said she noticed some damage around the edges to the paint on the rainbow crosswalk, which runs across Simcoe Street at the Ste. Marie Street intersection. She asked for it to be fixed up before the 2023 Pride festival in Collingwood, which takes place July 14-16.
Since the unanimous vote was at a corporate and communications committee meeting, it will have to be ratified by another vote at a full council meeting on April 17.
UPDATE: Council ratified the decision at their April 17 regular meeting by a unanimous vote and no discussion.
