The final Tragically Hip concert will be simulcast on large screen in Spencer Smith Park on August 20th.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

July 18th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Our fair city has decided to join much of Canada on August 20th when, if things work out the way a lot of people would like them to work out – thousands will be able to sit on the grass at Spencer Smith Park and watch a CBC simulcast of the final scheduled concert of The Tragically Hip.

Oh – and it is going to cost the city a cool $12,500 – the Burlington Downtown Business Association will somehow come up with the second $12,500 – for a total cost of $25,000

Council voted to go forward with this one – everyone voted for – except for Councillor Craven. He saw the event as a nice to have – which isn’t quite his cup of tea.

Gorn Downie of the tragically hip

Gord Downie, lead of the Tragically Hip.

CBC has waived its usual licensing fee with some conditions – there can be no sponsorship – so anyone putting up dollars is going to get a thank you.

There are some conditions. No alcohol can be sold. The city does not yet have a no smoking bylaw in public parks on the books.

The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, are a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of lead singer Gord Downie, guitarist Paul Langlois, guitarist Rob Baker (known as Bobby Baker until 1994), bassist Gord Sinclair, and drummer Johnny Fay. Since their formation in 1984 they have released 13 studio albums, two live albums, 1 EP, and 54 singles. Nine of their albums have reached No. 1 in Canada. They have received numerous Canadian Music awards, including 14 Juno awards.

Tragically hip

The night the country sits down in parks and arenas across the country to watch the Tragically Hip put on their final concert knowing that the lead has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer will be a hard evening. Gord Downie is in the centre with, in no particular order, guitarist Paul Langlois, guitarist Rob Baker, bassist Gord Sinclair, and drummer Johnny Fay.

As the band was getting ready to announce their summer tour they also announced that Gord Downie had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.  The out-pouring of public emotion led to CBC deciding to broadcast the final concert that was to be held in Kingston.  CBC then decided to let other municipalities across the country simulcast the program.

Brian Dean, chief at the BDBA, delegated to council and explained what Councillor Marianne Meed Ward had put in front of Council by Memorandum earlier in the day. She pointed out that the idea had come together very quickly and it looked as if cities across the country were going to do what they could to simulcast the event.

Mead Ward is putting $1000 from her Councillor’s budget into the pot. The ad hoc committee is reaching out to the federal and provincial governments (good luck at that level).

Some thought was given to Central Arena as a location – until they realized that the Children’s Festival is going to take place the following day and that stages will have been set up with porta potties in place – Spencer Smith Park became the obvious choice.
Hamilton is in; Kingston is in, Charlottetown is in, New Westminster is in and Halifax is in.

Parking MMW + Brian Dean with head of meter

Brian Dean with ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward the day the city got rid of the old parking meters and installed an expensive replacement that doesn’t provide better service.

Dean, who could sell ice cubes to Eskimo’s, assured council that this was really quite do-able and presented Council with an outline of the costs. When Dean doesn’t want the public to know what he is up to, he limits the information he shares; when he wants the public to know the media is showered with data.

Media were not given a copy of his cost breakdown.

It didn’t matter – the city manager sensed what council wanted and said that staff would provide oversight and that all the invoices would come to the city for payment.

A formal application has been submitted to the Special Events Team (SET) who gave approval in principle. They are also working on getting an exemption from the noise bylaw that requires events to shut down at 11:00 pm. The concert is expected to run until 11:30 pm

Meed Ward who exuded enthusiasm for the event suggested it was going to be the emotional equivalent of the winning goal Paul Henderson scored for Team Canada in 1972

The city manager wanted the cost of staff time that would be involved to be part of what the city has to come up with.

The event is 32 days away. Staff will have to hustle to make it happen and the city manager will make sure that the costs are controlled.

It took a two thirds majority vote to waive the city’s procedural by law and another vote to permit Dean to speak. If Council can do that in one meeting – the rest is a lead pipe cinch.

It has taken some time to figure out what the city manager is and what he isn’t. Observing him for the past 18 months the Gazette has found it difficult to say just what kind of an administrator he is. While he talks the talk of community engagement – he doesn’t really walk that talk. However, what is now very clear is that James Ridge is a very fiscally prudent man. Nothing is going to go seriously wrong on his watch. He may over promise from time to time – he certainly did that with a work plan he once put forward – but when it comes to watching where the dollars go – nothing disastrous is going to happen on his watch. Should that ever happen – the good Army Captain will choose to fall on his sword.

Where was he when the pier fiasco was being managed at city hall?

August 20th – mark that one on your calendar. With Meed Ward back on the BDBA as the Council representative – things like this get done.

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7 comments to The final Tragically Hip concert will be simulcast on large screen in Spencer Smith Park on August 20th.

  • Grant Milner

    So Mr Craven thinks this is a “nice to have, not need to have” and taxpayers money should not be used. However he is the champion behind removing homes on the beach to build a “must have” parking lot.

  • Grant Milner

    Why does the article say the city does not have a smoking bylaw? There has been one since 2014. Bylaw 35-176. Not saying I agree with it…just that there is one.

    Editor’s note: You might be right – will look into that.

  • Blair Zielke

    MMW did something right what a surprise!

  • janey

    Dear Editor: why do we not just call this paper “vote for Marianne”. Your bias is clearly showing.

  • Once again, well done Burlington! So proud to live here, and enjoy our park on the lake!

  • Jane

    Spencer Smith Park is correct. The restaurant is called Spencer’s.

  • astheworldturns

    Dear Editor: Please check spelling…It’s Spencers with an S and it’s event with a t