A film festival and a Kay Meek Centre play were granted another trip to the District of North Vancouver's financial trough Jan. 20.
Both events were stymied earlier in January when several councillors questioned the expense of the film festival and the prudence of spending North Vancouver money on a West Vancouver event.
The North Vancouver Arts Office requested $5,000 for On A First Name Basis, a new play by Norm Foster set for the Kay Meek Centre.
"I won't support the Kay Meek funding program on a point of principle," Coun. Roger Bassam said. "Philosophically I cannot fund - with tax dollars - programs and facilities that are outside our community."
More than 30 per cent of visitors to the Kay Meek Centre are from the City or District of North Vancouver, according to Kay Meek board of directors chairman Paul Tutsch.
It's logical to support a program near the district, rather than trying to duplicate the "exact same service somewhere else in our community," said Coun. Mike Little.
Bassam got some support from Coun. Alan Nixon, who previously said West Vancouver should fund the Kay Meek.
The arts office made their recommendations based on the instructions they received from council, according to Little, who suggested Bassam and Nixon could take a more hands-on approach.
"When the opportunity presents, perhaps we should put you guys on the committee since you want to make so many changes," he said.
While Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn said he had concerns about the grant, he decided to support the arts office, pointing out they were following council's direction.
"To suddenly change that direction retroactively, and take issue with the decisions that they've made based on that direction, would be in my view, inappropriate," he said.
The arts office also recommended granting $14,000 for the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival.
Bassam previously said the festival should become self-reliant and stop making annual funding requests to the district.
"I will support the Vancouver International Film grant this year," Bassam said, adding that council would review their policy.
The festival typically screens between 40 and 50 films and includes a speaker series and photo competition, drawing approximately 5,000 moviegoers to North Van theatres. All grant costs are slated to be split with the City of North Vancouver.
