Mass gatherings draft bylaw prompted by rural raves
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
A wave of raves in the Kaslo area and Taghum Beach in the last year has prompted complaints and now the drafting of a regional district bylaw to regulate mass gatherings.
Electronic music parties (raves) are creating a stir in some rural areas of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, but there are no specific bylaws in the system to deal with them, said RDCK chief administrative officer, Jim Gustafson.
Although they don’t want to prevent people from gathering in groups or for the raves to occur, there does need to be some parameters for them when it comes to the wellbeing of the neighbourhoods they are held in, he said.
“If you want to have a gathering, you need to let the police know about it, that the neighbours know about it, that the Department of Highways knows about it, and that sanitation matters — water or sewage — is taken care of,” he said.
“Those are some of the key areas all under the auspices of public safety.”
The bylaw, still in the early stages of draft form, is directed at rave events that are paid, and not regular social gatherings, nor would they affect the municipalities, which regulate their own matters.
The complaints that came this summer from the community — including the Village of Kaslo — highlighted that the regional district needed a “mass gatherings” bylaw for the police to have additional authority to control them.
Raves were held just outside Kaslo on both the May and August long weekends, with Bassfest, held on Crown land, and Loki, held on private land. The organizers of Bassfest were charged $4,744.94 for the costs incurred to clean up the site and restore it to its natural condition.
As well, two raves attracting over 600 people each time have been held in Winlaw on private land in the last year, with RCMP attending on each occasion.
Gustafson said what constituted a mass gathering has not been defined, and no formal draft bylaw has yet been presented to the RDCK’s board of directors.
The complaints were raised with in an RDCK meeting in July, but the matter now lies with staff to draft the bylaw in consultation with the RCMP and the IHA.
When it comes to the board level, the philosophical discussion of requiring people to obtain a permit for large gatherings will arise, said RDCK chair Gary Wright.
Park and trail regulation draft bylaw
There could be some new teeth in the regional district’s parks next year, and it won’t be bared by furry, four-legged critters.
A draft bylaw is being developed to fine people who litter, camp illegally and party in the parks and on the trails, setting out requirements for the hosting of large “events.”
The bylaw should be ready for approval by the board of directors in early 2011.
A bylaw could give bylaw officers, building inspectors and parks maintenance staff the power to write tickets, in addition to the RCMP.
