Kelowna

Despite appearances, the City of Kelowna is not looking at getting into the entertainment and festivals business.

An error on a job posting for a new 'Event Development Supervisor, makes it appear as if the position is for a promoter - someone who would oversee events currently run through Ferstivals Kelowna.

The incorrect portion of the job description which raised eyebrows stated: "Provide leadership and management of City civic projects and programs, including Parks Alive, Arts Alive, Buskers and Canada Day. Oversee the volunteer management strategy. Develop and implement grant programs that allow the City to respond to appropriate opportunities."

"That is not correct," says Jim Gabriel, Director of Recreation and Cultural Services.

"What that should be is 'To provide leadership and management of city civic properties and programs.' The delivery of Parks Alive, Arts Alive, Buskers and things like that - the way that reads is we are going to take over the leadership and management of it. That's not the case."

Gabriel says, in fact, the new position is an evolution of what is currently being done with outdoor events.

He says the city hopes to become more pro-active around just what kind of events Kelowna wants.

"We can seek out those events and play a role in bringing them here."

Gabriel says the individual would also work with existing events to find out "how you are doing, are you sustainable, how are you planning to grow, are you planning to grow and what can the city do to help out."

Several ideas about events and promotion were brought up around the time Kelowna was bidding to host the Canadian Ironman Championship.

Gabriel says this position was being talked about before the Ironman bid.

"But it would have been nice to have this position in place when that came to the front. This person would have been a big part of that investigation and helping move this forward."

The position is posted on the city website until March 22.

The full job posting is available here.