Sarnia's mayor is asking council to re-endorse a motion passed in 2019 to bring back the showmobile.
Mike Bradley said a motion was approved in June of that year, asking the Chief Administrative Officer to gather the information needed to see if there were possible funding sources.
"I believe there are a number that are not tax base related," said Bradley. "The showmobile was of great use to the community over the years. It allowed a lot of charities and nonprofits to have this great portable stage that they could use at events, without the extraordinary costs to bring about their own stage."
Bradley would like to see the information compiled for consideration in the 2024 budget.
"The one that we looked at a number of years ago, and Chatham-Kent is just getting a brand new showmobile, is accessible, [has a] good sound system, good lighting system, and it can last a generation," he said.
The effort to purchase a new showmobile was put on hold in April 2020 due to the uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19.
Bradley said it's time the investment be revisited now.
"For many years, thanks to the Rotary Club, we had [the former] showmobile," said Bradley. "It ended because of the lifespan. Now, I think it's time, as we move out of COVID and have committed to many more community events, that we show a very clear sign of that."
Bradley expects the project would cost a couple hundred thousand dollars.
"In the past we've had offers of donations to support that, and we also have that new levy that's gone on hotel rooms [the Municipal Accommodation Tax], which I think is an excellent source because it's tourism related, to fund this type of purchase," he said.
Sarnia council will consider his request during its regular meeting, starting at 1 p.m. Monday .