Fernie council has given permission to The Royal Hotel in Fernie to hold an “end of season party” in April until 4 a.m.
The operator of the bar, Julie Comete, applied for a temporary change to the liquor licence to allow them to stay open longer on the evening of Saturday, April 13, and council supported the extension, although they decided if there were any problems or complaints afterwards they would not allow it again.
Coun. Joni Krats said she felt the owners at the Royal Hotel had been very compliant with council’s noise bylaw, and had made an effort to reduce noise following a number of recent complaints from residents. She said they deserved to be given a chance.
“This night is an appreciation for people who work in the service industry, who are a valuable part of the community.
“It’s just one night, and I’m saying this as someone who lives just a block away.”
Other councillors were not so sure. Coun. Willard Ripley said he thought it was a “recipe for disaster” and that for residents who have to work the next day, 4 a.m. is too late.
“I like the idea of everyone partying happily into the wee hours, but I don’t really believe that will happen,” he said.
Coun. Randal Macnair said he thought the bar needed to be given a chance and said the RCMP, who had written to council objecting to the application, had a responsibility to “figure it out.”
“Let’s give it a try,” he said. “It is the job of the RCMP to protect the community. I’d like to hear back from them about how it all went after the event.”
Coun. Joe Warshawsky and Mayor Mary Giuliano opposed the application, but it passed by majority.
“I hope you’re right and I’m wrong,” Coun. Warshawsky told the other councillors.