No drinking alochol in Bonnyville parks, council reaffirms

Bonnyville residents won’t be allowed to drink alcohol in the town’s park any time soon.

Town council agreed to continue prohibiting alcohol after the policing committee discussed the issue in July.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs, Kaycee Madu sent a letter to town council in June asking municipalities to loosen the restrictions in their community parks after relaxing drinking restrictions in certain provincial parks.

However, if the Town builds more infrastructure at the parks, it could be revisited.

“We’re going to continue prohibit wandering in there until such time we have appropriate infrastructure. In other words, a camp, the ability to have fires. Then sure – why not” said Mayor Gene Sobolewski on The Morning After.

“We really didn’t see too much of an issue on that because right now there really is no major change to anybody’s lives in terms of where they can or cannot consume liquor. It’s all still within the rules of AGLC.”

Sobolewski said he didn’t see much difference between the special requirements already allowed at some parks for major events.

“The policing committee took a look at it and said essentially if you have festivals or want to hold an event, you can have a beer garden. You have to cordon it off, you have to follow the rules, all that stuff. But you can do that now. It’s not a prohibition. But can you open a brew at the kiddie park or the splash park? Even with the relaxation of the rules, you still probably couldn’t.”