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No fireworks on Canada Day

Canada Day celebrations in Cranbrook will likely be a toned down affair this year, as the city doesn’t have the money to rival past years.

Canada Day celebrations in Cranbrook will likely be a toned down affair this year, as the city doesn't have the money to put on anything to rival past years.

The plan now is for  festivities to take the form of a daytime event at Rotary Park with cake and music.

Council did leave an option open for fireworks, in the case there's an 11th hour proposal.

Cranbrook received a grant from Heritage Canada for $2,500 which matches the city's budgeted amount of $2,500 for festivities, and so there is $5,000 for celebrations.

The city estimated the fireworks alone costing $7,000.  A group of volunteers has not yet come forward to plan the event, so city staff and leisure services had been working on a plan for $12,150, but the city would have to contribute another $7,150 to meet that amount.

“I don’t think the city can spend $12,000 and make up the shortfall,” said Coun. Diana Scott. “I think what we might have to do this year is forego the fireworks and the party at Moir Park with sound system and staff and some birthday cake. A party in Rotary Park may be the way to go.”

Scott said that maybe by not having the celebration in Moir Park this year, a group would step forward next year to take on the planning.

Coun. Denise Pallesen agreed with Scott, saying she didn’t want an already busy staff having to take on more work.

“Any time families get together it’s a Canada Day,” Pallesen said.

Mayor Wayne Stetski said that council would move forward with the daytime celebration and hope that a group would come forward to sponsor the fireworks celebration.

Council decided on Rotary Park as it is more accessible than Moir. Fireworks would have to be held at Moir, though.

If there is a fireworks sponsor, the festivities would likely be split into two separate events, a morning/afternoon of music and cake, followed by an evening fireworks display. As it stands now, though, Rotary will be the place to be for family celebrations on July 1.