Council divided, but Regina takes first steps to allow alcohol in parks

Regina is one step closer to allowing people to drink alcoholin a limited number of city parks.

The city'sexecutive committee approvedthe policy changes on Wednesday in a tight 6-4 vote, despite vocal concerns from multiplecouncillors.

People in support of the changes urged their fellow council membersto treat the residents of Regina like adults, rather than assuming that people will act recklessly.

"There's nothing wrong with a little bit of responsible fun," said Ward 2 Coun. Bob Hawkins.

The proposed Alcohol in Parks Program still needs to be approved by city council at its next meeting on July 12.

In May, the province gave municipal governmentsthe power to designate outdoor public places for alcohol consumption.

However, there's been very little movement from municipal governments across the province on the policy and Regina's vote makes it among the first to seriously consider the change.

City administration hasrecommended the 12 city parks where drinking would be allowed: Central Park, Grassick Park, Hopson Park, Horizon Station Park, Kiwanis Park, Lakewood Park, Les Sherman Park, QE Jubilee Park, Regent Park, Rotary Park, Stewart Russell Park and Tutor Park.

There is at least one park in each of the city's 10 wards.

However,if councillorshave concerns about specific parks, they will beallowed to proposealternativesto the city manager.

They'll have to submit that alternative by 4:30 p.m. CST Thursday to ensure it can be incorporated into the recommendations voted on by council next week.

"They havemore familiarity in some respects with how those parks are being used and provide that feedback into administration, so it may inform slight changes in terms of the designated park, it may not," said Mayor Sandra Masters on Wednesday.

City staff confirmed thatany additional parks added to thelist of twelve parks in the future would need to be approved by council as it would require an amendment to the city's bylaws.

Safety concerns

Ward 5 Coun. John Finduraand Ward 7 Coun. Terina Nelson voiced concerns around the possible risk ofintroducing drinking into the city's parks.

Findura stressed to his fellow councillors that just because the province allows Regina to do something, doesn't mean the city has to do it.

"We have more issues, or more things, that we should be looking into or looking after than creating more problems," Findura said.

City manager Niki Anderson said that these changes would be essentially legalizing something that already occurs in the city's parks.

Anderson said concerns around safety would be addressed through existing provincial laws enforced by the Regina Police Service. Those includepublic intoxication, public consumption of alcohol outside of permitted areas and underage drinking.

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A pandemic push to allow drinking of alcohol in outdoor public places has lost momentum.

In a statement, the Regina Police Service said it's too early to sayhow the proposed changes could affect the delivery of its services.

"We will respond to public concerns and calls for service, as always," the service wrote."Police will continue to work with the city to ensure public safety and enjoyment of public spaces."

Concerns about costs

At least three councillors who voted against the proposal said they had concerns about the cost of the new program. The price tag has been estimated to be around $27,000.

The one-time cost would be used for installing signsand additional recycling and waste bins in the designated parks. That money would come from the city's 2023 operating budget.

During the development of this bylawproposal, city workersconsulted with theRegina Police Service, Provincial Capital Commission, Regina Exhibition Association Limited, Downtown and Warehouse Business Improvement Districts and school boards.

Anderson said the stakeholders they spoke with were in favour of a careful roll out and implementation.

As part of its evaluation process, the city determined that alcohol shouldstill be banned from Victoria Park, Confederation Park and parks that are close to schools or recreational facilities.

Decision on Wascana Park yet to be made

Wascana Park is not includedin the city's proposalbecause the space falls under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Capital Commission, rather than the city.

In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Government Relations said there's no timeline on when the Provincial Capital Commission's board could consider a bylaw that allows alcohol consumption in the park.

Masters said that if the vote passes next week, the city will have "cleared the path" for the Provincial Capital Commission should they choose to allow drinking in the park.

"I will trust that this will be dealt with over the course of their next one or two meetings," the mayor said.

Any decision will likely come as part of the Wascana Centre Master Plan, which is undergoing public consultations.

The spokesperson stressed that the Provincial Capital Commission wouldwork with the City of Reginabefore any changes are implemented.