By Mark Squibb
September 22, 2023 Edition
Although you’re likely to see Christmas merchandise on the shelves any day now (and maybe you have already), winter still seems too far off to think about yet.
Mount Pearl council, however, is already looking ahead to winter — or at least the City’s landmark winter festival.
Council this week unanimously approved a $25,000 loan for the Frosty Festival board. The loan is part cash, amounting to $15,000, and part Glacier Arena pay forgiveness, worth another $10,000.
The Pearl followed up with staff following the meeting, who clarified there is an expectation the loan will be repaid.
There was no discussion on the matter, though mayor Dave Aker spoke to the motion briefly.
“We’re navigating post-COVID, and we’re navigating through a lot of inflation, which has really driven up costs,” said Aker. “But we’ve got a really healthy Frosty Festival, and we’ve got a solid board, and we’re working together to make sure we have one of the best festivals that we can possibly deliver. But it is a new environment out there, so this motion I think sets the table going forward for a good working relationship.”
The Frosty Festival has been held annually, with two exceptions, since 1983. Last year’s festival marked the triumphant return of Frosty after the festival had been cancelled for two years due to COVID-19.
Last November, council approved a one-time donation of $30,000 to help Frosty get back on his feet following COVID.
Under a previous agreement between the City and the Frosty Festival board, the City paid an annual operating subsidy of $35,000.
That memorandum of understanding (MOU) ended in March 2022.
Last year, the city and the Frosty Board agreed to hammer out a one-year MOU regarding the upcoming festival, but the details are still being worked out.
The $25,000 loan approved by council this week exists outside of the MOU.
