More food offerings may be served up at Westminster Pier Park this summer, but beer and wine won’t be on the menu.
While many locals love the treats offered at the city’s Eats at the Pier concession, the city has approved a trial street food vending project at Pier Park to give folks a variety of dining choices. Under this summer’s pilot project at Westminster Pier Park, food vendors will be able to operate on the parking lot at the west entrance to the park – provided it gets permission from the property owner.
“This approval is in principle as the city does not own this property,” said Diane Perry, the city’s manager of community development. “We could make it available for a food truck location, as part of the overall food truck program, if staff are able to obtain approval for such from the owner of the property.”
A staff report states that Eats at the Pier had “relatively modest” sales in its inaugural 2015 season and required an operating subsidy from the city. Street food vendors would be required to offer food that’s different and distinct from Eats at the Pier.
“Expanding the street food program into Westminster Pier Park has the potential to help Westminster Pier Park become a destination for food and beverages by leveraging off the current public interest in food trucks, street vending and the unique riverfront setting of the park,” said a staff report.
Council recently asked staff to report on the feasibility of serving beer and wine at Eats at the Pier, but has learned tht provincial liquor license and control branch doesn’t issue licenses to outdoor concession stand operations. The city, however, can apply for a special occasion liquor licenses to serve alcohol at special events hosted by a city or a non-profit organizations.
Staff note that new liquor regulations proposed for 2017 would allow municipalities to create bylaw allowing consumption of liquor in a special public place, such as a city-owned park. While the city won’t be able to sell alcohol, the proposal would allow people to bring a bottle of wine to a picnic in the park.
Coun. Mary Trentadue, who put forward the original motion about selling wine and beer at Eats at the Pier, thinks the special occasion licence is a “good start” to serving beer and wine at Westminster Pier Park.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr opposes the idea of having the city serve alcohol in the park, noting it isn’t a revenue generator and could preclude younger city employees from working at the concession as they’re not 19 years of age. He doesn’t think it’s necessary for people to be able to buy an alcoholic beverage when taking their kids or grandkids to the park.
“I don’t feel it’s that important that we are able to buy an alcoholic beverage outside in the park. There is ample time to enjoy alcoholic beverages,” he said. “I support permits for special events that happen.”
