There will be a celebration of the Tragically Hip’s final show and it won’t cost the taxpayer a dime.
Kingston City Council approved a staff report at Tuesday’s meeting that would see $100,000 be used from the City’s municipal accommodation tax to fund the celebrations. There will also be $23,500 in sponsorship money that will go towards covering the cost.
Originally, the City was considering spending $350,000 to mark the tenth anniversary of the multi Juno-Award-winning band’s final show in Kingston in 2016.
Councillor Brandon Tozzo says to have Kingston residents foot the bill was a non-starter.
The motion that was passed at the meeting included a request for a report from staff at their June 16 meeting.
Tozzo says the celebration will be scaled down as a result of the reduction in funding but it should still be a fun time for fans.
The Tragically Hip played their last show on Aug 20, 2016 at what is now Slush Puppie Place. Over a year later, their lead singer, Gord Downie, died of brain cancer at the age of 53.
Story by Ken Hashizume
