With support from the City of Fernie, the Red Tree Lodge and Restaurant is asking the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) for a permanent change to their liquor licence for a ‘Patron Participation Entertainment Endorsement.’
If approved, the Red Tree Lodge’s existing Food Primary Liquor Licence would be amended to allow for the restaurant to be used for workshops, educational seminars, meetings, and games for guests that are part of the Nonstop Ski and Snowboard group. All activities would be required to end by midnight.
The liquor licence change came before council at a regular meeting on Monday. Mayor and council agreed there didn’t seem to be any potential negative impacts on the community.
“They’re not really proposing anything too raucous,” remarked Councillor Willard Ripley. “It’s over at midnight, it’s for the guests only, it’s not a cabaret, or a rock and roll show, or any of those things that would produce a lot of noise, and so I’m certainly in support of it.”
A notice was sent out to residents in the surrounding neighbourhood, and the City hasn’t received any submissions for or against the licence change.
A request for comments was also sent to the directors of Operational Services, Planning, Fire and Emergency Services, Leisure Service, and the Bylaw Enforcement Officer. The only concern that came up was whether there would be any effect on off-site parking.
“They don’t have a parking issue because [the Nonstop guests] all come in a tour bus,” commented Councillor Phil Iddon. “Basically the only parking that does go on there is for hotel guests that aren’t part of the Nonstop group, so I don’t think that the parking issue is relevant.”
After some discussion Council decided to recommend the Red Tree Lodge’s request for a liquor licence amendment, and will include their comments supporting the change on their application to the LCLB.