Sicamous council approved a partial closure of Main Street for Canada Day celebrations while while striving to find a balance between downtown business owners and revellers.
At the May 28 meeting, recreation manager Jamie Sherlock provided council with an update on the block party that has been adapted since first being introduced in early April.
“We’ve done some revising, we’ve gone back and forth... probably about 10 times trying to come up with the best scenario for Canada Day," she said. "With the health-care centre being a little bit behind, it kind of disrupted our plans, but after spending some time out on-site last night, I think that we’ve come up with a pretty cohesive plan that we think will make everybody happy when it comes to our event.”
The road closure will remain the same as originally proposed, shutting down from The Narrows Smokehouse to the Main Street Landing roundabout, where road hockey rinks will be set up. That tournament is making a comeback after a two-year hiatus and numerous community requests for its return.
“The last two years we’ve done an evening event at Beach Park, and we found that the numbers weren’t there," Sherlock said, adding she's had "people begging" her to bring back the hockey tournament. "What we found is that when we were having our events on Main Street on Canada Day, it supported us moving this event back... which is why we made the change for this year.”
She further outlined the event with the beverage gardens, run by the curling rink as a fundraiser, being set up among the trees at 200 Main, with a stage in the other corner. It will be positioned facing the street so the music carries down the block, so people mingling on the street can dance and "have a good time.”
The vacant lot on the other side of the road will have the kids zone and bounce houses, with a family games area on the street in front of that, complete with the bubble machine and face painting.
“So making it a true traditional block party for Canada Day.”
The street closure will go from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. “at the absolute latest.” Sherlock’s suggestion was to have the street hockey tournament over by 4 p.m. so district staff can move everything off the street while allowing the entertainment and beverage garden to continue. The event itself will end at 6 p.m. with medals and prizes presented, then Sicamous Economic Development will take over with a Van Halen tribute band until 8:30 p.m.
People will then be directed to the Beach Park for “what we’re known for... our fireworks.”
In response to Mayor Colleen Anderson’s question about feedback from business owners affected by the street closure, Sherlock said letters had been sent out as per policy and no responses had been received.
“That doesn’t mean we’re all good if we’ve had no response,” Anderson said. “Before we decide to roll this out, we need to hear from the business owners because this will be the third closure for them.”
As one of those affected business owners, Coun. Ian Baillie acknowledged he’d had some concerns as he didn’t receive the letter. He said he's been working with staff, noting it is the third closure within a month and suggesting a review of the road closure policy.
“It should be something that’s said, like how many times would we close it, and under what circumstances... how it gets spaced and for how long and what’s the impact,” he said.
Baillie said other owners didn’t get the closure letter, and he’s heard some concerns, but added it looks reasonable in regards to when the road will be reopened, and suggested the district get feedback afterwards.
The Canada Day road closure was approved, but feedback will be collected and the policy reviewed.
