Ribfest 2015
(FILE PHOTO / iNFOnews.ca)
June 13, 2016 - 2:41 PM
KAMLOOPS - This year's Ribfest event in Kamloops may have a smoking section.
Organizers would like a small section of the barbecue festival’s beer garden in Riverside Park sectioned off for smokers, but it’s up to a city council to decide.
City council will look at the request from the Daybreak Rotary Club at its regular council meeting tomorrow, June 14.
City staff are advising council to either reject the request and enforce the city bylaw which doesn’t allow smoking in Kamloops parks, or allow smoking at specific events with liquor licences and be prepared for similar requests from other events in the future.
Staff point out allowing smoking has the implication of second had smoke affecting attendees, athough disallowing the request may cause a security issue as people smoking would have to leave the park for a cigarette break.
The Rotary Club argues allowing smokers a spot in the beer garden will increase beer revenue which would comeback to the community. Last year the event raised $95,000 for local charities.
The bylaw ammendment banning smoking in Kamloops was approved in November 2015.
Ribest will be held in Riverside Park from Aug. 5 to Aug. 7.
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