Centennial Committee outlines costs for the party and their hopes of not running a loss

Dear Sir:
From your coverage of the Town Council Meeting of February 9, 2004, it appears there is some confusion in the numbers reported. I did state that revenues from our registrations and other fundraisers are projected to net us $45,000-$50,000. What I may not have made clear enough is that expenses are also projected to be in this range.
In addition, the town through its global budget is expected to contribute a total of $20,000 to the Centennial Celebrations. Ten thousand dollars would be in the form of a grant to the Centennial Committee. The other ten thousand dollars would be to address infrastructure requirements put in place for the Centennial Events but used in years following the Centennial. An example would be picnic tables, town beautification, and recreational facility improvements.
If we consider rental of sanitary facility, bands, tables, chairs, sound systems, advertising, mailing expenses, food preparation equipment, shade, tent rental, picnic tables, security, etc., you must readily realize our expenses quickly approach or exceed projected revenues. If we manage to generate a surplus over this Centennial Year, that surplus will be turned back to the community. If however, we have a shortfall (an unpleasant prospect) as a community we are also responsible for that.
Our committees of hard-working volunteers are sparing no effort to insure we do not have a deficit. Events are being organized to be as self-supporting as possible and to date we have taken the responsible position of raising funds before we commit them. We have not run a deficit and do not intend to. We know the Homecoming Weekend will be a major financial commitment and we have to continue to take the necessary steps - to insure it will be successful attendance wise, properly organized, and soundly financed.
Some of the paths we are following to insure this, are;
* Each event is establishing firm budgets to know their individual costs, and what financial aid, if any they will require from the Centennial Committee. For example the Stump Art Exhibition and The Great Beaver Boat Races have received outside support commitments eliminating the requirement of additional funding from the Centennial Committee
* We are able to utilize the infrastructure and staff of Rainy River to provide us with excellent support in planning and providing financial services. They are excellent, competent professionals and we appreciate their extra effort.
* Mrs. Dawn Jarvis has agreed to act as Treasurer for the Centennial Committee, providing the assistance to, and guidance of, various committees in formulating working budgets. We appreciate her skills and commitment.
* We have a great group of volunteers who are providing hundreds and hundreds of hours to accomplish everything from putting up a professional website, to hosting very successful fund raisers, to painting curbs, to stuffing envelopes. They deserve and are receiving the heartfelt thanks of the rest of the community and out-of-town alumni alike.
* Finally, Mr. Editor, let us make it very clear, we need everyone in this town to register for Homecoming Weekend. Their $10 per adult, contribution is important in funding the many open events like the parade, youth activities, Home coming Saturday, historical displays, and even humble toilets. More importantly it gives as a more accurate estimate to the number we will have in attendance Home Coming Weekend. To overestimate by 500 would be disappointing. To underestimate a couple thousand would be a disaster.
We need the broad support of the whole community to pull this off. Not only financially, but as proper hosts to our returning guests, friends and neighbours. We all work together and success will be ours.
Yours truly
Gordon Armstrong, Chair, Centennial Committee