The request is in for Chatham-Kent's contribution to what is being billed as the "arguably the second largest event the Municipality has ever seen."
Municipal staff are recommending that council approve costs of $84,585.50 for the RetroFest/RM 40th Anniversary events that will be taking place on the weekend of June 21-22.
A report that will be presented at Monday night's council meeting says the money would be one-time funding and could be pulled from the municipality's Strategic Development Reserve.
The largest chunk of the spending would be set aside for the Public Works Department, which is expected to be on the hook for overtime costs of about $40,000. Those employees would need to be on-site for traffic control.
Policing and security costs would make up a large portion of the spending, with an estimated combined cost of $18,390. Local police would be on site to help with on-site supervision and traffic control, but they will also be called out to help with several other events that are also taking place on the weekend of June 21 and 22 -- the Thamesville Threshing Festival, the Pain Court Kinsmen Tractor Pull, and the Erieau Classic Car Show. Because of that, the municipality will need to hire additional security to help with the RetroFest/RM events. The policing costs would be $11,590 while the budget for additional security is estimated at $6,800.
The rest of the municipal expenses would be split between several other services including additional staff hours from parks department employees for garbage collection, additional staff hours for support from firefighters, and fencing for security purposes for the Sam Roberts Band concert in Tecumseh Park in Chatham.
The recommendation from municipal staff also notes, though, that the contributions from RM Auctions founder Rob Myers and the economic impact of the event far outweigh the municipal costs.
Myers alone is expected to spend approximately $500,000 on the events that are open to the public. That includes the cost of bringing in Sam Roberts Band for a concert in Tecumseh Park and Big Sugar for a concert at the Capitol Theatre.
Proceeds from the events that require paid admission will be spread between three local charities: the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, the Chatham-Kent Hospice, and the Chatham-Kent Children's Treatment Centre.
The economic impact of the two-day event, calculated in consultation with CK Tourism, is estimated to be $1.44 million with expectations that all hotels, motels, beds and breakfasts and campgrounds in the area will be fully booked during the weekend. It's expected to draw thousands of visitors to Chatham-Kent, likely finishing second only to the 2018 International Plowing Match in terms of municipal exposure.
The event is also expected to draw attention from across the globe -- guests from the United States, England, and Europe have already confirmed their attendance along with corporate executives from some Fortune 500 Companies.
The funding request will be up for approval at Monday night's CK Council meeting.
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RM Sotheby's unveils more details of 40th Anniversary events
While downtown Chatham is filled with classic car displays over the RetroFest / RM 40th Anniversary weekend, RM Sotheby's company headquarters in Blenheim is expected to be just as packed.
New information released by the company says One Classic Car Drive will be hosting an Art at RM event featuring a graffiti competition on large canvases such as a shipping container or a tractor trailer.
The location will also be hosting a once-in-a-lifetime collector car display titled "RM40 Concours d'Elegance," which will feature "some of the rarest and most beautiful cars in the world."
So far, organizers have confirmed that a 1937 Cadillac Series 90 Hartmann Cabriolet (one of less than 10 surviving models) will be there along with the multi-award winning 1933 Delage D8S Roadster by Devillars. Both of those vehicles were restored by RM Auto Restoration.
Tickets for that event are expected to be $20 with all of the proceeds benefiting the Children's Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent.
A free shuttle service will also be available at RM headquarters to take attendees to and from the Downtown RetroFest and Tecumseh Park festivities.
