Cirque du Soleil to cost P.E.I. $250K

Bringing Cirque du Soleil to a new summer festival in Charlottetown will cost P.E.I. taxpayers $250,000 this year.

Tourism Minister Rob Vessey released details of the costs to the province Wednesday,

"Our government did fund them under a signature event policy to the sum of $250,000 which they triggered to bring this show in, creating a reason to come to Prince Edward Island. People see that and they come to visit us," said Vessey.

The internationally-acclaimed acrobatics team is the headline act for the new Charlottetown SummerFest, to be held over the Canada Day weekend.

The Cirque du Soleil contract is for three years, and Vessey said organizers can apply for more money from the province under the same program next year.