Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Waterloo Air Show a go for 2013

WATERLOO REGION — The Waterloo Air Show is going to have to make it on its own without cash from the Region of Waterloo — and it plans to.

Regional councillors voted unanimously Tuesday to turn down a request from organizers David White and Richard Cooper for more than $91,000 in funding assistance.

“It would be very, very difficult for us,” Chair Ken Seiling said. “It’s really in the hands of those who run it to decide where it goes or doesn’t go.”

Cooper and White appealed to council for help earlier this month, saying a $350,000 debt, bad weather, plus declining attendance and revenues were threatening to shut the air show down for 2013.

They asked for $16,000 in debt to the region for services be forgiven and asked an additional $75,430 to be granted to the group.

Organizers have no hard feelings and will go ahead with the 2013 air show.

“The Region has always been very good to us and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them,” White said. “Richard and I are going to continue to fund it.

“We’re playing the odds that we’re not going to have bad weather this year.”

The 2013 Waterloo Air Show is scheduled for June 1 and 2.

The Snowbirds will headline and the event which will feature other aerial acts, ground displays and activities.

The air show is operated as a business, not a non-profit or charitable organization, which played a role in council’s decision. Section 106 of the Ontario Municipal Act, which governs councils, prohibits cities from providing direct or indirect assistance to businesses.

There were concerns that the region providing cash to the air show could also set a precedent inviting other operations to ask for financial aid.

Cooper and White have operated the air show for two years.


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