However, efforts to promote the film industry in Dunedin look set to receive a boost, with support among councillors for a $20,000 grant for the Film Otago Southland group.
The decisions came as councillors yesterday worked through a list of applications for civic grants during the second day of deliberations on the 2009/10 annual plan.
Basketball Otago last week requested a $50,000 grant to help fund the reinstatement of the Nuggets basketball team into the National Basketball League (NBL).
However, councillors baulked at the suggestion yesterday, instead suggesting a smaller $25,000 grant could be offered, but only after the team was reinstated in the NBL. The grant could be used to offset the Nuggets' costs in hiring the Edgar Centre for matches.
Cr Paul Hudson was among those to oppose the $50,000 request, saying it could set a precedent for other sports teams wanting council funds.
And, without a team in existence, Cr Dave Cull warned additional funding "might just be throwing good money after bad".
Cr John Bezett doubted a $50,000 contribution would be enough to help ensure the team was competitive and performed well in the NBL.
"It's like the Highlanders. They need some talent and to get that talent is going to cost more than $50,000."
However, Film Otago Southland had more success in seeking a one-year $20,000 grant to help fund its operations promoting filming across the Southern region.
However, a vote in favour of the funding came with a note of caution, with council economic development unit manager Peter Harris saying "the jury was still out" on the benefits of the group's activities.
That was despite the group's success in attracting productions including the Wolverine crew to Dunedin for filming, councillors heard.
The group received proportional funding from other councils, with the Queenstown Lakes District Council's $70,000 contribution the largest, he said.
He supported a grant for the coming financial year, but said he would not recommend another grant in the following year if benefits could not be identified.
Also yesterday, a $35,000 grant for the Mayfair Theatre won support, with Cr Paul Hudson saying it was important to continue support for the theatre while broader work on theatre provision in Dunedin continued.
A one-off $8000 grant for the Blue Oyster Gallery was approved, with Cr Michael Guest describing the gallery as "a jewel in the cultural crown of Dunedin".
Councillors voted for a $15,000 grant for the Really Authentic Gilbert and Sullivan Society theatre group; Supergrans Dunedin and Dunedin North to receive $4000 for community patrols, and the Youth Action Committee to receive $15,000 for one year.
Funding for the city's hanging baskets was also continued, albeit with a reduced $10,000 grant, down from $20,000 last year.
The Otago Harbour Ferry Inc group, which is refurbishing the Elsie Evans ferry for use on Otago Harbour, was given a smaller-than-expected $20,000 grant, which was less than the $40,000 sought after questions were raised by councillors yesterday about the group's business plan.
Other groups to miss out on grants included Kings High School, which had sought $400,000 to help pay off its performing arts centre mortgage, which it argued would help pay for a wider community asset.
No decision was reached on Sport Otago's request to maintain its $50,000 annual funding, with councillors deciding the matter would be included in a wider report on Sparc funding being prepared for the full council meeting on June 2.
Councillors would consider yesterday's recommendations by the council hearings committee at that meeting, with final approval expected at the council's June 22 meeting.
