Brewhalla wants to return to Port Moody this summer.
But, where to put the outdoor beer-tasting festival that paid its inaugural visit to the city last year?
That’s the question facing Port Moody council on Tuesday (Feb. 28) after organizers requested permission to set up at Pioneer Memorial Park for this year’s planned event.
It’s also where Red Door Events, of Langley, was initially supposed to hold its afternoon of sampling beers from around B.C. while listening to live music and enjoying snacks from various food trucks last year. Until the community expressed concerns about the appropriateness of a venue that’s supposed to be a place of quiet reflection and comfort at its gardens that include a “Phone of the Wind” where visitors can have “conversations” with departed loved ones.
Others were worried about possible damage to the park’s trees and shrubbery.
Instead, the event was moved to Inlet Park.
However, it’s no longer available as work has started on construction on a new turf sports field to accommodate soccer and slo-pitch.
In a report to council, Port Moody cultural services manager Devin Jain said the city’s options for hosting outdoor events are very limited.
He said Rocky Point Park is already busy with free community events and ticketed events may not be appropriate for the public amenity as they would exclude non-ticket holders from the space.
Other possibilities, like the tennis courts next to the recreation centre, or its parking lot, present challenges like wear and tear and crowding out other users.
Outdoor locations like the old fire hall site at the corner of Murray Street and Ioco Road, Ioco Field at the end of Ioco Road and the Westhill sports field won’t work either, Jain said.
The fire hall site won’t be barren forever, so any event that sets up there would eventually be faced with moving anywhere. Plus, there’s no shade.
Ioco Field is remote and not well-served by transit and its limited space for parking would force organizers to offer a shuttle bus service, an expense they might not be able to handle.
Those are some of the same problems faced by the Westhill sports field option, which is also located in a residential neighbourhood.
Jain said paved sites, like the boat launch parking lot at Rocky Point Park, the Moody Centre SkyTrain lot or the traffic circle and Knowle Street by city hall also aren’t ideal.
The boat launch is a busy place in summer months and parking spaces are needed for vehicles and their trailers.
And, a Knowle Street closure would force visitors accessing the rec centre facilities to use the uncontrolled entrance off Ioco Road, as well as impact the comings and goings of emergency vehicles at the Inlet fire hall.
Jain said while there have been encouraging discussions with TransLink about using the Moody Centre SkyTrain parking lot, the regional transit authority won’t allow events serving alcohol.
Closing off streets to allow events, putting them in one of the rec centre’s arenas or making arrangements for access to Site B, a new coworking and event space in a warehouse on Murray Street also aren’t viable, Jain said, adding that brings the city back around to Pioneer Memorial Park.
He said last year’s event proved organizers are responsible and patrons respectful of their environs. As well, the city is still keen to try events at Pioneer Memorial Park.
Jain noted the park had previously hosted a winter solstice lantern festival and two smaller events have been approved for this year; the second International Overdose Awareness Day event in August and an outdoor kitchen party jam session that debuted at Rocky Point Park last year.
SOUND OFF: Is Pioneer Memorial Park an appropriate venue for a beer festival or any kind of event? What do you think the city can do to accommodate the demand for outdoor events? Send us a letter to the editor.
