Stopping Bill Cosby from performing in Kitchener this week would likely cost a significant amount of money, two people closely watching the situation say.

One source within the entertainment industry says the cost would be into six figures – without factoring in the cost of subsequent legal action.

Seperately, Mike Farwell, who is organizing a fundraiser to take place at the same time as Cosby’s Centre in the Square performance, says he’s heard the cost would be “at least $300,000.”

“That would be the fees to break the contract that the Centre in the Square has with the promoter,” he said.

“Beyond that, who knows what you can get into when it comes to legal costs.”

Centre in the Square is not promoting the show itself – only renting out its facility.

Cosby’s Kitchener appearance is part of a tour of southern Ontario, with stops in London and Hamilton also scheduled for this week.

In an email, a spokesperson for the venue said a confidentiality clause prevented the release of specific financial details.

“If the Centre was to breach the contract without a legal means, the compensatory legal action would be significant and the exact number impossible to predict,” the spokesperson said.

Contracts between Cosby, the venues and promoter Innovation Arts and Entertainment were signed in March 2014, before numerous women accused the entertainer of sexually assaulting him.

No criminal charges have been laid in connection with the allegations.

In London, Mayor Matt Brown has called for Cosby’s performance to be cancelled.

Protests are planned for outside the shows both there and in Hamilton – where another protest will take place inside.

The lone organized event in Kitchener is the Voices Carry fundraiser, which is supporting Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.

Organizer Melanie Baker expects “a few hundred people” at the event, and says that while many may be disappointed in Cosby’s appearance, she understands why Centre in the Square isn’t moving to stop the show.

“There are no mustache-twirling villains here. We know the position they’re in, and the financial and legal hit they’d be in for,” she said.

Anyone showing up at Voices Carry with a ticket for the Cosby show will be allowed in for free, Baker said.