Penticton is hosting Boonstock music and arts festival for the first time this year.
Image Credit: boonstock.ca
July 03, 2014 - 8:33 AM
PENTICTON - Boonstock faces a major setback after the private security company hired to work the festival weekend backed out of the deal.
International Crowd Management terminated its agreement with Boonstock organizers, just one month before the festival comes to Penticton on August long weekend. There have been security and safety concerns about the festival based on its reputation.
This is the first year Penticton is hosting the event — it was previously in Gibbons, Alta and known for drugs, fights and unruliness.
Global News reported Boonstock organizers made significant cuts to the safety plan, which raised health and safety concerns for the security group. The group was also told not to communicate with other parties, including the Liquor Branch and RCMP, who are also involved in the festival’s security plan, reported Global.
Festival organizer Barb Haynes took city councillors on a tour of Boonstock grounds yesterday morning, and didn’t mention any security issues. Organizers have not spoken to the media or public about any security plans or concerns. In past interviews Haynes has refused to answer specific questions about security, and instead ensured everything was on track.
Haynes could not be reached for comment.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, Marshall Jones, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014