Municipal funding requested

Air Show Atlantic preparing for return to 14 Wing Greenwood in 2019

With more than 12,000 people being drawn to the spectacle last year, plans are well underway to bring Air Show Atlantic back to Greenwood in 2019.

Air Show Atlantic executive director Colin Stephenson made a presentation to Kentville town councillors at the council advisory committee session Oct. 9. He said organizers are currently in negotiations with the U.S. Navy to bring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to 14 Wing Greenwood for the 2019 show.

If they are successful in procuring the Blue Angels, the air show will take place on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. If they can’t, the dates will be Aug. 24 and 25.

Stephenson said organizers learned from their experience in 2017. They failed to get the support of the RCMP in preparing for the traffic, which resulted in significant back-ups. He said $10,000 is being invested in traffic preparations for the 2019 show.

Stephenson said the 2017 air show resulted in an estimated economic impact of $2.2 million from outside of Kings County and there was roughly $720,000 in direct spectator spending. It draws fans from across the Maritimes. The show pays honorariums to various community groups and organizations, including $17,000 from the 2017 Greenwood show.

He said the expected revenue from the 2019 show is $535,000, with 33 per cent coming from the three levels of government. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Veterans Affairs will contribute $75,000, the Province of Nova Scotia will contribute $50,000 and organizers are seeking $50,000 from local municipalities.

Stephenson said they are looking for council and Kentville citizens to “recognize the value” of having the show in the Annapolis Valley. Organizers are requesting between $10,000 and $20,000 from the town.

The council advisory committee later voted to defer funding discussions to the upcoming budget deliberation process and to send the air show organizers a letter notifying them.

During the public comment period at the end of the session, Kings County Coun. Pauline Raven said she feels that there is a need for renewed joint council meetings to share information on items such as funding request presentations that are made to multiple councils.

She said air show representatives had already made a similar presentation to Kings County councillors, requesting $50,000 – the full municipal contribution.