Penticton council voted unanimously to give the Penticton Elvis Society $3,000 so that it can expand its show from the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre to the South Okanagan Centre for the festival’s 10th anniversary.
City CAO Annette Antoniak said the extra funds will likely go towards paying for setup costs at the SOEC that would not be incurred if the festival were held at the convention centre.
The new grant increases the amount of funding the 2011 version of the festival will receive from the city to $10,000. The society had also asked for an additional $500 to pay for new increases in park rental fees, however, council did not grant the request.
“I am really worried about that $500 because once we give it to one (society) we are going to get slammed,” said Coun. Mike Pearce.