Saskatchewan Jazz Festival moves to Victoria Park
The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is on the move.
After more than two decades at the Bessborough Gardens, the festival is moving to Victoria Park from June 30 through July 9.
Executive director Shannon Josdal said the move was necessary to keep the festival running for years to come.
"It's time for some change," she said. "We've got some very strategic goals that we're looking to achieve, and some huge shifts that we're seeing in the live music and the festival industry."
Josdal is excited about what's to come at Victoria Park. While she says she'll miss the iconic scenery of the Bessborough Hotel and its beautiful gardens that have become a pilgrimage of sorts for festival goers, she says the new site will allow them to do so much more.
"With that comes a much larger free program and an expanded festival day pass, so folks will get to see more for their money on that pass under the new model," Josdal said.
Finances and keeping the festival viable have become an issue in recent years, not just for Saskatchewan. The Vancouver Folk Festival decided not to hold a festival this summer, and may never again because of escalating production costs.
Josdal said to avoid the same fate, the Sask. Jazz Fest had to find an alternate location. If the festival didn't make any changes or find another location, they would have had no choice but to close.
"It is a very different economy, a very different landscape. And the feasibility and costs associated with moving to Victoria Park are much more sustainable for our organization. We are a nonprofit. We don't exist to make huge amounts of money," Josdal said.
Running the festival can cost up to $2 million, according to Josdal. With the industry decimated by COVID-19, staying at the Bessborough simply wasn't an option.
She says the new location isn't only more affordable, but much larger than the restrictive space behind the Bessborough.
Larger beer gardens, better viewing-areas, an artisan market and a family fun zone are just some of the benefits of moving. Another major component of moving is still being able to attract international talent.
"That's another reason to amalgamate and streamline our operation is to continue with the quality of programming," she said.
Josdal isn't seeing the move away from the Bessborough as a problem, but as an opportunity.
"To say that that is the only iconic spot would be an unfortunate view to take. We've got a lot of wonderful spots, and this is a new one," she said.
Lineup and sale dates will be announced in the spring.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.