Quesnel City Council will spend up to 15 thousand dollars to refurbish and install a metal moose sculpture in front of Arena 2.
The moose was donated to the city by local artist Bert DeVink.
The vote was not unanimous as a couple of Councillors, including Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, took issue with the cost.
‘So I had already made my opinion known the last report we had on this and now we’ve gone from what was supposed to be a 5 thousand dollar initiative with we’ll jut put it on a slab to up to 15 thousand dollars now. I get it that we love our outdoor art and that Burt is a part of our community and tourism and all that, but this does not sit well on my shoulders.”
Council back in agreed to spend up to 5 thousand dollars to get the moose to Quesnel from Victoria.
The Mayor and some other donors eventually ending up picking up that bill.
Councillor Tony Goulet was also opposed to the price tag.
Others, Scott Elliott, approved it despite some concerns about the cost.
“I am wondering if there is a possibility for us to look for donations to potentially bring the cost down. But from a tourism perspective, from us trying to push for more arts and culture in the community, I think it would be a good initiative for us.”
Elliott went on to say that this piece of artwork is valued at around 65 thousand dollars.
The City has a quote of $10,620 to do the work, and Councillor Martin Runge maintained that $4,480 dollars of the 15 thousand was contingency.
Mayor Ron Paull brought the proposal forward as a late item at Tuesday night’s Council meeting.
The installation still needs the approval of the North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee.
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