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Paris council approves Lake Crook drag‑boat event with COVID‑19 precautions
Summary
The council approved an agreement with the Southern Drag Boat Association to hold a June event at Lake Crook with public‑safety coverage and COVID‑19 protocols; the association asked to remove spectator advertising and to reduce an item in the draft agreement to $2,500.
The Paris City Council voted May 11 to approve an agreement allowing the Southern Drag Boat Association to hold a drag‑boat race at Lake Crook in June, provided safety staff—fire, police and ambulance—are on site and the association follows the COVID‑19 measures included in the draft agreement.
City staff said the association proposed edits because there will be no spectators this year, including removing event advertising and reducing some accessory services. Staff noted a $33,000 figure appeared in the draft that would have been payable to the city for services, and the association asked to change that item to $2,500; city staff said $2,500 is consistent with previous years. Mr. Path, the staff presenter, recommended approving the edited agreement so the city could finalize arrangements before the event.
Paul Allen of the chamber told the council the association plans to spend a significant amount with local restaurants and estimated roughly 500 room nights this year despite reduced spectator attendance. "They love Paris," Allen said.
Council members who spoke supported the event, citing cautious COVID‑19 protocols and expected economic benefits for hotels and restaurants. A motion to approve the agreement as written with the suggested edits carried by a council vote.
