Kamloops to explore pilot program that would see alcohol allowed in Riverside Park

A Kamloops council committee has agreed to make recommendations for city staff to look into a pilot project to allow alcohol in Riverside Park during the summer.

Coun. Bill Sari brought forward the motion during last month’s Governance and Service Excellence Select Committee Meeting following a presentation from Tourism Kamloops.

Representatives from Tourism Kamloops had asked the committee to “streamline and adapt some of the processes” for much needed and desired tourism experiences in the city.

The representatives asked the committee to consider asking staff to review bylaws and to look into adding more tourist attractions, similar to the concession, food truck and equipment rentals that were originally supported last summer.

The committee agreed to direct staff to explore bylaw amendments and how to add more tourism-related activities, which would be brought to council at a future meeting.

However, coun. Sarai took it a step further and brought up his motion, pointing to the start of Music in the Park this month.

“Do any of the municipalities like us have alcohol in their parks during summer time for events, is it just one-off requests or is it throughout the summer,” coun. Sarai asked.

Staff said Kelowna and Penticton have both implemented similar programs

Kelowna City Council voted in the bylaw amendments to allow alcohol consumption in four parks in June 2023 and renewed the program this summer and expanded it to eight parks.

Penticton has had their program in place since about 2020 and made it a permanent, year-round program in February 2023.

“I get a lot of requests from residents that come to Music in the Park, especially, that are wondering why they can’t bring a bottle of wine with a plastic cup that they can take back home after they drink, and just listen to music and have a glass of wine,” he said.

He also suggested exploring how a Tourism Kamloops kiosk could sell glasses of wine in Riverside Park.

Coun. Sarai put forward a motion to have staff work with Tourism Kamloops to look into creating a pilot program this summer.

The motion was supported and more details will be brought forward in the near future,