Staff Report: Request to Provide Liquor Service at Helmcken Centennial Park

REQUEST TO PROVIDE LIQUOR SERVICE AT HELMCKEN CENTENNIAL PARK

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council consider endorsing the application for a Special Event Permit to provide liquor service on public property during a two-day baseball tournament at Helmcken Centennial Park.

PURPOSE:

To consider a request from the Westshore RCMP to provide liquor service during a one-time, two-day charity baseball tournament at Helmcken Centennial Park.

TIME CRITICAL:

The Applicant’s proposed event in Helmcken Centennial Park is scheduled for August 13th and 14th, 2023.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

As Part of their 2023 “Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock” fundraising initiative, the Westshore RCMP detachment (the “Applicant”) is requesting to host a charity baseball tournament with liquor service at Helmcken Centennial Park, with all proceeds going toward the Canadian Cancer Society. Through the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Board’s (LCRB) special event permitting process, the Applicant’s request to provide liquor service on public property (Helmcken Centennial Park) requires written support from Council.

Staff have no concerns with respect to this application as it is in accordance with the Parks and Public Places Bylaw no. 986.

BACKGROUND:

“Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock” is an annual fundraising initiative where emergency services and law enforcement personnel cycle 1200km over 14 days across Vancouver Island, raising funds for childhood cancer research and support at the Canadian Cancer Society.

During their annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock fundraising efforts, the Applicant organizes an annual baseball tournament with all proceeds from admission and liquor sales going toward the Canadian Cancer Society. In previous years, the group has held their event within the City of Langford at Carlow Field. Due to recent changes to the facility’s baseball diamonds, Carlow Field is no longer a viable option for the event.

The Applicant has submitted a Town of View Royal Park Use Permit application for the annual baseball tournament to take place at Helmcken Centennial Park, from August 13th-14th, 2023. Furthermore, the Applicant is requesting additional permission to provide liquor service on site in conjunction with the baseball tournament. A copy of the LCRB’s Special Event Permit application and Town of View Royal Park Use Permit application is attached.

Through the LCRB’s application process, the applicant must provide written permission from the local government authority if providing liquor service at an event on land owned by a municipal government.

DISCUSSION:

Staff can provide the following commentary regarding the application should Council wish to endorse the event:

1. Under section 2.1(d) of View Royal’s Parks and Public Places Bylaw no. 986, possession, sale and consumption of liquor in a public place may be permitted so long as it is supported by a valid Town of View Royal Park Use Permit and LCRB Special Event Permit.
2. The Applicant has submitted an application to the Town for a Park Use Permit and has demonstrated that they are in the process of obtaining a Special Event Permit from the LCRB.
3. This is a one-time, two-day event, operated by a registered charity and abiding by Provincially mandated regulations.
4. Should this event be considered by Council, staff will ensure that the Town-issued Park Use Permit includes conditions to support compliance with relevant bylaws.
5. Staff have no concerns with respect to this application as it is in accordance with the Parks and Public Places Bylaw no. 986.

CONCLUSION:

The LCRB requires Council’s written permission in order to permit the Applicant to provide liquor service on municipally owned property under a Special Event Permit. If Council is in support of this request, staff will provide a letter of support to the Applicant.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. BC Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Board Special Event Permit Application
2. Town of View Royal Park Use Permit Application No. PU2023-09