The cost of just about everything has gone up this year, and that includes the price of the sand used in Parksville’s world-famous sand-scultping exhibition.
City council received a request from Parksville Beach Festival Society to increase the city’s support to $7,500, from the usual $5,000.
Members voted unanimously to receive the society’s letter — the request will be addressed during budget deliberation meetings, according to Mayor Doug O’Brien.
“To be able to procure the sand is a difficult thing, as it needs to be a very specific sand for the sand sculpting,” said Coun. Adam Fras. He added he believed the request referred to increasing the yearly budget line item.
Keeva Kehler, chief administrative officer, confirmed this was accurate.
The society’s letter to council thanked the city for its invaluable support over the years.
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Parksville Beach Festival will recognize the city’s sponsorship in numerous ways, including the sponsorship of a professional sand sculpture, the city logo carved in sand on display for five weeks on the sponsorship berm and a commemorative thank-you plaque.
“If the summer of 2022 was any indication of the number of people looking to come to our community during this period, we have no doubt that 2023’s event will be another resounding success,” the letter read.
The festival draws thousands of visitors to the region each summer and a 2016 economic impact assessment, conducted in partnership with Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism, found the economic benefits topped $18 million.