COUNCIL’S unexpected support of this weekend’s Country Capital Cup gymnastics events has vaulted the discussion of an events levy back into the spotlight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Mayor Col Murray was happy councillors reversed a call charge the Tamworth Gymnastics Club more than $12,000 in venue hire charges for its marquee event at the TRECC.
However, it contradicted the desire to stick to the budget.
READ MORE:
“I think one of the responsibilities of councillors is to be accountable to the community for the budget and it’s pointless having a budget if we don’t adhere to it,” he said.
“We don’t have the capacity and a budget item for additional events.
“That goes back to my mayoral minute of December, last year, to ask the general manager to seek options for revenue stream to support events.
“Whilst the gymnastics has been funded and subsidised in previous years, it’s very much a growing and new event, but it doesn’t hold a seat in our budget.”
Country Capital Cup event manager Jodie McGinnity said the competition could see significant growth in the next decade.
“We have the capacity to grow to 2000 competitors and seeing teams from several countries attending,” she said.
The cup is the major fundraiser for the Tamworth club and Ms McGinnity said it should be a profitable edition, while the competition finds a balance between hosting an affordable event while growing its international appeal.
“We want to make it an affordable event,” she said.
“Events hosted in Sydney can be extremely expensive for everyone to attend, especially from the country.”
While the trajectory for the event could see a rapid rise in attendance, she said the cup was in the market for a naming rights sponsor but still hoped the event could get ongoing local support.
“The difference is this event isn’t tendered,” she said.
“It isn’t something that the city has to go out of its way to go and get.
“We decide when we run it and we’ll run it as long as viable.”