Vancouver asks province for funding to support struggling PNE

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The City of Vancouver is asking the province for emergency funding to support the PNE, now that plans to reopen Playland have been postponed. 

The plan to open up starting May 1 was cancelled at the behest of the Provincial Health Officer, as COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations remain high, and restrictions on travel and gathering remain in place until May 25.

Coun. Lisa Dominato brought an emergency motion to council, calling on the province for financial support. It passed unanimously.

“The PNE is an iconic organization, a longstanding one with more than 100 years here in B.C. and in Vancouver, and we’re hoping that through the current budget process, there may be an opportunity for financial support,” she explains.

“We want to ensure that we’re in a strong financial position to put on a 2022 Fair. That’s critically important as we consider the local economy and recovery from the pandemic.”

Thanks Council for supporting my emergency motion this week calling on the Province for financial support of our iconic @PNE_Playland institution. The PNE team has pivoted with drive-thru events this past year; however, we're still facing shortfalls due to the pandemic. #vanpoli pic.twitter.com/FmYzUnJ74v

— Lisa Dominato, City Councillor (@LisaDominato) April 29, 2021

Doiminato adds no decision has been made yet whether this year’s fair might be able to go ahead on a much smaller scale. There’s also the possibility that Playland will be allowed to reopen after May 25, but that too is uncertain.

“Obviously we’re monitoring the provincial health orders in the current pandemic,” she says.

However, even if smaller-scale events are allowed, the PNE is still facing losses.

“We are still in a challenging position in light of the global pandemic, and not being able to host our normal, regular events. I have to say the staff have been phenomenal in terms of pivoting, and putting on drive-thru events that have been safe, and we will continue to explore opportunities for those types of events,” Dominatop says.

RELATED: Vancouver’s PNE may be at risk if wage subsidy doesn’t come through, says councillor

The PNE has been owned by the City of Vancouver since 2004. Because of this, it was ineligible for COVID-19-related supports for businesses, such as rental and wage subsidies.

Dominato is hoping Ottawa will come through with some financial support, but more help is needed as a “bridge” until the attraction can reopen at full capacity. So far, operators have reported $10 million in losses due to the pandemic.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated, as Coun. Dominato corrected her earlier statement about federal funding.