The city of Surprise is kicking in some more money to support programming at the Vista Center for the Arts, 15660 N. Parkview Place.

The Surprise City Council voted Feb. 20 to spend $5,000 in addition to the $45,000 it already funds through the Tourism Fund Reimbursement Agreement with The Vista.

The Dysart Unified School District operates the facility, which has brought nationally known acts to the city such as comedian Jeff Foxworthy and the Commodores.

The city’s Tourism Subcommittee and City Council initially agreed to $45,000 in 2022 to help increase attendance and hotel visits to Surprise.

Last season, The Vista produced 18 shows with more than 16,000 in attendance and more than one million impressions through advertising, according to city figures.

Jason Stone can be reached at jstone@iniusa.org. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.