Boonstock in the Edmonton area in the summer of 2013.
Image Credit: YouTube
July 03, 2014 - 6:33 PM
PENTICTON - Boonstock organizers say the show will go on even without definite security plans, since the private company they hired quit one month before the weekend long concert.
Boonstock officials have been difficult to reach at the best of times, but since International Crowd Management has backed out of the event hit the news this week, the concert promoters are nowhere to be found. The only response to dozens of phone calls was a terse announcement on its Facebook page.
“We are in talks with other security management companies," it assured concert goers last night, "and are confident we will find a provider to meet the needs of attendees, the RCMP and the community.”
They refused to 'go into too much detail' about why the security company backed out.
But in a prepared statement, ICM said it terminated the agreement after Boonstock cancelled several services in ICM’s contract, including all first aid and paramedical services, lifeguards, and rescue boats. Organizers made the cancellations without consulting the company or anyone else.
ICM President Brent Pollock said he didn’t want to get into a “tit-for-tat” about the issues the company had with the organizers, and just wanted to move on.
“It will be a problem for getting a liquor license,” said Coun. Andrew Jakubeit. “And RCMP need a security plan in place before approving.”
“I couldn’t think of a worse thing to happen right now,” said Coun. Helena Konanz, who has been very positive about the event coming to Penticton on August long weekend. “We don’t want to be skeptical but it’s hard not to be right now,” she said.
But while Penticton city councillors have taken a keen interest in the event, they have little say about it. It's being held on Penticton Indian Band lands. Several calls to the band were not returned. Boonstock organizer Barb 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