Sicamous’ options for event locations have expanded with permission to use the dog park for the next five years.
The District of Sicamous has renewed its agreement with the province’s Agricultural Land Commission allowing for the use of the municipal dog park for events. The ALC’s permission was required as the dog park is part of B.C.’s Agricultural Land Reserve.
Under the new agreement, the district is allowed to permit up to 10 events per year on the dog park site until the year 2022, and that events be no longer than three days.
“The site would be used for events such as Sno Cross, Summer Stomp and dry camping for sporting events or tournaments in the summer months,” states the district’s application package to the ALC.
In an outline of their decision, the ALC’s decision-making panel notes the property is impacted by the sewage treatment plant, which “reduces the sustainability of the rest of the property for agricultural use.”
The Summer Stomp Committee is pleased with the ALC’s decision, as the Summer Stomp event, held annually at the dog park, was a driving factor behind the district’s pursuit of a renewed agreement with the ALC. However, there are conditions in the agreement the Stomp has concern with. These include camping being limited to 30 tents only.
“We must allow the event participants to camp on the grounds next to their motorcycle,” writes Stomp president Steve Hammer in a letter to the district. “We do this for a few reasons, but the number one reason is to keep the event contained so there is no reason for anyone to get on their motorcycle or in their vehicle and drive away after enjoying the day’s events in the sun and the bands into the evening. Safety is one of the main focuses and if we cannot have tent camping on the event grounds, it will create and an unsafe environment which no one wants to manage.”
District planner Melinda Smyrl said staff will be having discussions with the ALC to amend the conditions.