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Oak Bay supports Juno bid

They're not yet willing to pony up the dollars but Oak Bay councillors and mayor are keen to see the 2014 Juno Awards hosted in the Capital Region.

Oak Bay council agreed to give organizers for the 2014 Juno bid a letter of support and approval in principle for three years of funding. Scott Hoadley and Kyara Kahakauwila, of the Capital Region Music Awards Society, made the pitch to council this week saying the spinoff benefits to the region from the awards being hosted here would be around $20 million.

Coun. Pam Copley described the proposal as "an exciting opportunity," adding there would be long-term benefits. "With Oak Bay High having a new theatre there is the potential for an experience for our artists that's really enormous. This just doesn't happen every day."

If the 2014 Junos were awarded to the society, all Greater Victoria communities would have to agree to a three-year financial commitment. Oak Bay's share is estimated to be between $30,000 and $100,000. Mayor Christopher Causton emphasized that Oak Bay's support could only be informal at this time.

vmoreau@oakbaynews.com

Did you know?

The Junos are named after Pierre Juneau, the first head of the Canadian Radio-Television Commission. The first Juno awards gala took place in 1971.