Foundation: Frontier Village closer to meeting BCTF goals

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The Frontier Village Association has made progress in complying with Buffalo City Tourism Foundation’s requirements, according to BCTF President-elect Alden Kollman.

“It’s progress. It’s positive progress,” Kollman said, following a FVA meeting. “I think if we keep on top of it and don’t let these issues grow into huge issues, we can solve them.”

The FVA manages the Frontier Village, a popular tourism destination in Jamestown, and is funded by grants from the BCTF.

The two organizations came into conflict over a number of issues starting in 2011, including the village’s manager position and compliance with BCTF’s requirements for receiving funding.

The organizations compromised in May, with the BCTF funding the manager position for 18 weeks, ending July 11. The FVA could request more funds for the position at a later time, however, provided all the compliance issues were resolved and the FVA and its staff met BCTF requirements.

At the FVA’s meeting Thursday, Kollman and Nina Sneider, BCTF executive director, visited with FVA members and requested a few additional documents — copies of employee background checks, copies of employee job descriptions and schedules for greeters.

Many of the compliance requests discussed had already been fulfilled or were no longer necessary. For example, Frontier Village staff did attend a tourism orientation and Pioneer Days had already been rescheduled into a two-day event rather than a three-day one, as required.

The FVA will request funds for its Pioneer Days festival at the BCTF meeting today, as well as additional funding for the manager position and the Wild West Players.

In other news Thursday, the FVA:

* discussed the need for volunteers to help with traffic control during White Cloud Days.

* voted to pay $150 for a blacksmith to demonstrate his craft at the village during Pioneer Days.

* learned from Manager Tina Busche that most amphitheater events for the summer had been canceled as the BCTF requested.

Remaining funds originally designated for those events will go toward maintenance of the village, the FVA decided.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be

reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at

klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, tourism