The board that promotes, maintains and organizes the Murals of Moose Jaw wasn't about to sit quietly and watch their funding from the city disappear for the second year in a row.  A delegation from the board spoke to council this week saying losing all of that funding severely limits the work they can do.

Elizabeth Dusomme spoke passionately about their efforts in the community. "The murals are the number one drawing card to Moose Jaw. If you took the murals away, the tourists wouldn't come here."

"The city needs the murals!" proclaimed Dusomme.

The roughly $13,000 in annual funding was cut in last year's budget and since the 2018 budget was meant to be a status quo budget, the funding wasn't included.  Realizing the oversight, council voted to put the cash back in the document, pending final approval. Councillor Dawn Luhning said she didn't realize the amount of work that was being done by the group or the fact that they are the ones who print the thousands of tourist brochure maps that show people where the murals are located.

Weathered and chipping paint are just some of the yearly touch ups that are needed to keep the murals we have in good condition but there's also the planning for new murals that can cost upwards of $25,000 each. When asked by Councillor Chris Warren if the group has ever tried to explore sponsorship or fundraising options, Board Chair Norma Westgard simply replied, "It's not our mandate."