91原创 City council has given first three readings, or preliminary approval, to a bylaw amendment that would allow limited alcohol consumption in at three public spaces, the north section of McBurney Plaza, a designated area at Douglas Park and most of the picnic shelters at City Park.
Under the proposed changes to the parks and public facilities regulations bylaw, consumption of liquor would be permitted Thursdays to Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between June 1 and Oct. 31.
Coun. Rosemary Wallace was the lone vote against the idea at a council meeting earlier this month.
At the April 17 meeting, where council instructed staff to prepare a bylaw amendment, Wallace expressed concern it could mean added temptation for people with substance abuse problems in Douglas Park.
Wallace said she was okay with allowing consumption at 鈥渕aybe McBurney lane and City Park,鈥� but not Douglas Park, citing the potential temptation 鈥渇or people who have substance use concerns or issues鈥� in the area.
鈥淚t is just a temptation, that I don鈥檛 think we should be putting on signs for people,鈥� Wallace said.
In his online , Mayor Nathan Pachal stated 鈥減eople with a problematic relationship with alcohol鈥� will still be able to use the majority of Douglas Park and also the picnic shelter near the east parking lot at City Park.
The move to allow limited alcohol consumption comes after a trial over two years found that most people surveyed support the measure.
A report to council noted opponents of the practice cited 鈥渄runkenness, dangerous behaviour, crude language, smoking marijuana, and vaping鈥� 鈥� but a record of complaints found most were, in fact, not related to unruly behaviour due to drinking, 鈥渂ut for smoking, leashes on dogs, loitering, drug dealing, overnight camping, and after-dark loud partying.鈥�
Council will vote on final approval of the regulations at an upcoming meeting.
Once approved, putting up signs to notify the public of the liquor consumption area and permitted consumption hours will cost an estimated $1,500.
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