City Councillors were in unison when they turned down a request for debt relief from the Prince George Symphony Orchestra.
On Monday, Symphony President John Degrace asked for council to forgive $17,500 in debt – part of a $50,000 loan made back in 2003.
Problem is, just a few months ago the BCNE was unsuccessful with a very similar request of their own.
“To set a different precedent for a different organization that also has the same mandate which is cultural services… it just can’t happen, you can’t give different organizations different treatment.” said Councillor Jillian Merrick
After his presentation Degrace said he “was not entirely surprised”
“I’m well aware that a precedent was set earlier this year. I think that it’s possible that if that precedent hadn’t been set the discussion might have gone differently.”
Degrace said they have been budgeting to pay back the loan by 2020, but would have preferred to put the money towards a long list of needed items ranging from instruments and music stands to training and pay for the musicians.
The PGSO already received $58,000 in support from the City this year in the form of grants, which further swayed City Council into turning down the request. Councillors left the door open to restructuring the loan if need be, and directed staff to meet the the PGSO to see how else they can help out.
“What I got from Council, and what I heard from the Mayor personally when we were talking was a tremendous willingness to work with the Symphony to make things proceed well – so that’s satisfactory to me, I have no problem with it.” Degrace said
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