Purchased Community Event Tents To Be Available Soon

Tents for community and private events will soon be available to the St. Ignace community as the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau has purchased six 20-foot by 30-foot tents, for an estimated $17,000.

The tents will be available to anyone holding an event within St. Ignace, for a nominal rental fee. The tents come with free-standing walls, as well.

Visitors Bureau Director Lynne Piippo said the availability of the tents will encourage more events to be held in St. Ignace, now that there is an affordable option for outdoor weather protection.

"Sometimes the cost of rental tents kills an event," said Mrs. Piippo. "We spent $4,800 to rent the tent for the pond hockey tournament [this past winter]. That was money down the drain."

The Visitors Bureau took out a four-year loan to buy the tents, to be paid off with donations and rental fees.

A letter asking for pledge donations for the tent purchase has been sent to businesses in the community.

The Visitors Bureau is seeking a crew to train to set up tents for events. Mrs. Piippo said crew members would be paid a nominal stipend.

Details of rental prices have yet to be determined. Call the Visitors Bureau at 643-6950 for more information.