A $300,000 Wild West hootenanny for 5,000 will be the City of Calgary's contribution to the G-8 summit, as city hall tries to lasso an economic spinoff from the two-day meeting of world leaders in late June.
Council is banking on the hoedown paying off for local taxpayers by attracting tourists and business to the city.
"This is an opportunity we can't pass up," said Mayor Dave Bronconnier.
"People from around the world are going to be here, so why not invite them to show them that Calgary is about more than just how many security officers we have. It's a chance to show them some down-home hospitality."
Being "down-home" comes at a cost, though, which hasn't impressed at least one city hall observer.
"It's a great idea to have a party and portray Calgary in a positive light, but this is a fair chunk of money and what are we going to get in return?" said Stephen Chapman, spokesman for the small-business lobby Progressive Group for Independent Business.
City council unanimously approved spending up to $300,000 to throw a "western night" for G-8 delegates and the international media before the leaders of the world's most powerful industrialized countries converge on Kananaskis.
The plan was presented after the provincial government turned down an offer by G-8 organizers to host an event for delegates.
The city and local tourism officials then jumped at the chance to hold a party.
While the leaders won't be attending the shindig, an estimated 2,400 bureaucrats, political aides and assorted delegates from the United States, Europe and Africa will be invited, along with about 2,500 journalists who will be in southern Alberta to cover the summit.
"The City of Calgary only has a limited amount of opportunities to showcase itself to the world, and during the G-8 summit, leaders of the biggest countries in the world and their media will be here," said Ald. Ric McIver, council's fiscal conservative who brought the idea forward.
"We want to make sure we get a hold of them and furnish them with information on what a great place Calgary is to come and live and do business."
Comparing the G-8 to the 1988 Winter Olympics, aldermen backed the plan as an "investment" that will get the city back on the map.
"It's a substantial amount of money, but if we're going to do it we've got to do it wholeheartedly," said Ald. John Schmal.
Tentatively scheduled for June 25 at Stampede Park, the bash will include dinner, a performance by the Stampede Band, a mini-rodeo and fireworks.
Although promoting Calgary is a good idea, some question whether the cash-strapped city should pick up the tab.
"Usually when you wine and dine a client, there is a specific agenda in mind and I don't see that here," said the PGIB's Chapman.
The city will do everything it can to keep costs as low as possible, said McIver, who served as the PGIB's municipal affairs specialist before he was elected alderman for Ward 12. He added that $300,000 is the most the city will spend on the fiesta.
He also supported Ald. Gord Lowe's idea to ask local corporations to foot some of the bill through sponsorships.
City staff said the economic impact of the June 26-27 summit will be calculated after the event, noting that high-level political gatherings in Windsor, Ont., and Quebec City in the last two years brought more than $100 million into the host cities.
Calgary police are already working with security officials at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede to make sure the event unfolds smoothly.
"We're not expecting any problems, said Calgary police G-8 co-ordinator Insp. Al Redford.
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