City council approves emergency funding for Tourism Moose Jaw

Moose Jaw city council approved a $73,500 line of credit Monday night for Tourism Moose Jaw to deal with a severe pigeon infestation at its Visitor Centre.

The line of credit would come out of the city’s investments and interest would be charged at prime interest rate less 1.6 per cent.

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According to the report that went before council last night, the infestation caused contamination, making the building unsafe for staff and visitors due to serious health and air quality concerns.

Tourism Moose Jaw staff have been working out of a camper on-site since the closure. However, with the colder weather approaching, the temporary setup is becoming more difficult for Tourism Moose Jaw to maintain.

Finances are limited for Tourism Moose Jaw

Council heard that Tourism Moose Jaw is struggling financially and don’t have the funds in the bank for the repairs.

“So, when it comes to asking for the funds to help us, this is the only way to keep going because we don’t have the funds. We scrimp by month-to-month just to make ends meet,” said Tourism Moose Jaw Executive Director Donna Fritzke.

An insurance claim to cover the cost of the repairs was submitted to SGI but was denied.

City council was told that Tourism Moose Jaw does not have a reserve fund to cover the cost of the repairs. In 2025, the organization received $103,628 in annual funding from the city, with the remaining 80 per cent of its budget coming from grants, donations, sponsorships, events, merchandise, and tourism initiatives such as the trolley tours.

According to Tourism Moose Jaw, maintenance and property costs totaled about $40,000 in 2024, leaving roughly $60,000 for marketing efforts.

The Visitor Centre, which was constructed more than 20 years ago by Tourism Moose Jaw, sits on city-leased land and was valued at $1.07 million in 2024. Because the building is on city-owned land, the building is property of the city but Tourism Moose Jaw has been responsible for the upkeep.

Councillor raises concerns

Coun. Dawn Luhning voted against the line of credit and raised a couple of concerns.

Luhning noted that in past reports, city councillors had heard about numerous issues with the building and she was concerned that the line of credit would only be a “band-aid” solution.

“We already know there are other issues, so $73,500 is what the request is. How far is that going to get us? Or is it just going to be $150,000 next year or more,” Luhning said.

Coun. Patrick Boyle felt, one way or another, Tourism Moose Jaw would still need the funding to solve the infestation problem.

“At the end of the day, we are going to have to solve that issue regardless even if something different was going to happen with that facility. I just think that’s a prudent move we have to make,” Boyle said.

After hearing about Tourism Moose Jaw’s financial situation, she was also concerned about how they would be about pay back the city.

City Manager Maryse Carmichael said they are working with Tourism Moose Jaw and there are several ways that the funds could be paid back.

“Very soon council will get some information on a possible way forward since it is one of the main economic drivers for the city on how we can go ahead and be structured and make sure we really promote tourism the way it should be,” Carmichael said.

It’s expected that Tourism Moose Jaw will repay the line of credit by the end of 2026.