The Town of LaSalle will be looking at a heavy price tag to host a large-scale travelling exhibit next winter.
A report going to council tonight will look at the feasibility of hosting the large exhibit at the Event Centre in the winter of 2024 with Imagine Exhibitions.
The overall cost to host the exhibit is approximately $500,000. This includes all aspects of the three-month exhibit including exhibit rental fees, shipping, set up and tear down, marketing, exhibit staffing, security and cleaning.
While administration says there is a financial risk involved in hosting this event, the overall benefits outweigh the risk as it would bring many visitors to LaSalle from the region and beyond to the new Event Centre, the Waterfront Project and the Front Road Business District.
Administration has identified several grants to explore to help off-set the cost to the Town, however there has been no confirmed additional sources of funding. In order to move forward with the project, the Town will have to commit to the total cost and look for additional funding in the future.
It's unclear at this time what the specific event would be, as administration was asked during the January 26, 2022, Special Meeting what the cost would be.
Crystal Meloche, Mayor of LaSalle, says this type of exhibit would benefit all local municipalities.
"That's part of what that Event Centre was built for was to drive tourism to Windsor-Essex County as a whole, not just LaSalle. So when you invite people to come in and you try these very unique events, you get people from different regions. So we may even get people from the U.S. coming over to see one of these types of events."
She says there will be many questions tonight about the true cost of this event.
"It is a large price tag initially for these types of events, but, I do think the tourism part of it, the driving force that comes behind it will only benefit our community, not just at that Event Centre but businesses surrounding it as well."
Meloche says LaSalle has had more success over the past few years when it comes to grants.
"Hopefully we can work with our upper levels of government and show them what a benefit this type of event would be to our community. And like I said, I'm not just talking about LaSalle, I'm talking about Windsor-Essex County, which I think is a really important thing, especially when you're applying for these grants is you're showing how you're doing more for the region as a whole."
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island has offered to support the Town in promoting the event.
Administration also intends to explore opportunities with the local school boards and post-secondary institutions.
Council will meet at 6 p.m. tonight.