Good planning and good weather has provided benefits for both the Fergus Scottish Festival and the Centre Wellington community.
On Dec. 9, festival representatives returned to council to announce the organization would pay the township back $20,000 of the $50,000 emergency loan from last year.
Scottish Festival president Warren Trask was on hand to make the announcement to councillors.
“We’ve repaid $20,000 of the $50,000 loan council let us use to hold the 68th highland games,” said Trask. “The games would not have been successful without you.”
He noted that after 2012, organizers knew this year would be a make-or-break for them, and that changes had to be made. The board of directors and over 250 volunteers pulled together to host a number of activities with a tight budget.
Organizers say that wouldn’t have been possible without Centre Wellington’s tax-free loan of $50,000 over five years. The group kept costs and expenses lower in 2013 and the good weather resulted in higher attendance than in previous years.
“Once we got there, the gods smiled on us with fantastic weather and great support from the community,” said Trask.
In fact, organizers are calling this year’s event one of the most successful festivals to date. Trask said the loan allowed the festival to move forward.
“The money will come back into the community many times I’m sure,” he said.
Trask thanked council for its foresight to support local not-for-profits in the area that require money.
“We never wanted to be in that position,” he noted.
The remainder of the loan is to be paid incrementally in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Councillor Walt Visser said the festival is a very important part of the community.
“Centre Wellington wouldn’t be the same without it,” said Visser.
To kick off the upcoming year, officials said the annual Robbie Burns Dinner will be held at the Wellington County Museum on Jan. 25.
Tickets are available through the festival website at www.fergusscottishfestival.com or by calling 519-7897-0099.
