After losing over $1 million dollars in the previous holiday pageant, the government is due to receive $68,909 out of a total of $680,090 in ticket sales from the 2003-2004 Junkanoo parades.
On Tuesday, at a brief press conference in Rawson Square, C3 public relations director Peter Adderley said the amounts, although not yet audited, represented the 90:10 per cent split agreed in the contract signed between the government and his company.
He said that the company had earlier presented its “Reconciliation Report” to the Ministry of Finance, and thought it appropriate to publicly release the figures.
According to Mr Adderley, during the course of the parades, a total of 23,990 seating opportunities were provided, with 19,576 sold.
He gave the following breakdown: Junior Junkanoo, with 74 per cent of the seats sold, $54,740 earned; Boxing Day, with 98 per cent of the seats sold, $392,659 collected; while with 71 per cent of the seats sold on New Year’s Day, $241,691 was realised.
Profit and loss
Asked concerning the firm’s profits after all expenses had been deducted, Mr. Adderley said the company did not expect to immediately realise any “significant” profits immediately, but expected to accumulate profits over the five-year period of the contract. He noted however, that the contract was subject to a reviewed within two years.
“If a foundation is formed [to provide bleacher seating] with Junkanoo leaders, we will then be more than happy to turn the business over to them,” he said.
As soon as a certified audit was carried out, the government would receive a cheque for the agreed 10 per cent, he said. “We also thought it fitting to present the figures to the public, because 10 per cent of the gross is in fact the public’s money,” he said.
The name of the auditor was not provided.
Better deal
Considering previous losses incurred, Mr Adderley said, the company was pleased over the new arrangements made.
“The government paid for the bleachers and never owned the bleachers, we came in and we took on the investment to have the bleachers imported, to have them set up, gave the government 10 per cent of the gross and after a five year period, turn over the bleachers to the government,” he said.
Each parade was viewed with a “critical eye”, with C3 making marked improvements as they went along, he said. And, despite the reduced attendance at the New Year’s Day parade, according to Mr Adderley, it was more organised, and overall, the public was provided with a “first class” product.
Earlier ticket sales
“There was a high level of comfort, easy access and maximum safety with the bleachers,” Mr Adderley continued, “no incidents at all; but we can do better next time with the entrance points.”
For the 2004-05 parades he said, C3 will increase the number of bleachers and start to sell tickets earlier, and at additional outlets.
Expressing gratitude for the public’s response to their efforts, and promising to continue to provide a “first-class” product, he said company executives were very excited on being awarded the contract, from the government.
As a “young vibrant” company, he said, “We are very pleased with what we have been able to learn and what we have been able to achieve.”
He said that company principals, Thomas Cleare Sr., Thomas Cleare Jr., Dale Cleare and Edmond Cleare were men who had played a significant role in Junkanoo all their lives, by either donating finances or assisting various groups in setting up their shacks.
Mr Adderley noted that C3 not only provides bleachers for Junkanoo, but all major sporting events, with the bleacher-providing division in operation for the past six years.
By Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian
