By David F. Rooney
The Revelstoke Winter Market could find itself out in the cold this winter — literally.
For the last four years the market has been held in the main hallway at the Community Centre, but a near-doubling of fees at the centre is now making it almost impossible to hold it there.
“The hallway is a good fit for the Winter Market because it is just the right size, is almost always available on Thursday afternoons, and until recently has been affordable,” the Revelstoke Winter Market Committee’s Hermann Bruns said in an e-mail to farmers’ market supporters on Monday.
“Last year, however, the Community Centre changed its classification of the Winter Market which resulted in a significant increase in the hall rental fee. The fee almost doubled from $120.00 to $230.75 for the 6 hours we use it for the Thursday afternoon market. This fee increase resulted in the market running a loss last winter. We simply can’t attract enough vendors to be able to cover the higher cost of the venue.”
Bruns, who sells the produce from his Wild Flight Farm at both the summer and winter markets, said he has written a letter Mayor David Raven and the City Councillors asking them to reconsider the fee.
“My request is coming up for discussion at this Tuesday’s Council meeting (September 11). You could help Council members make a decision in favour of keeping the Winter Market in the Community Centre hallway by letting them know your opinion.
“If you have time before Tuesday’s 3:00pm council meeting, click on a name below to send an e-mail to your favourite council member:
or Email all City Council Members
Bruns also invited Market fans to e-mail him with any comments or concerns about the Winter Market.
Click here to read his full letter to City Council, dated August 24.
