A Port Coquitlam business that had its family play centre shut down by the city last month re-opened over the weekend.
Art Knapp was forced to temporarily close Funland after the municipality issued an order under the Fire Services Act for “public safety reasons.”
Today (Thursday), Fire Chief Nick Delmonico said city managers continue to work with the Office of the Fire Commissioner to ensure concerns — primarily related to emergency exits, occupant loads, flammables and other fire hazards — in the Funland area are addressed.
City managers have also voiced concern about the business’ retail buildings; a Section 57 hearing, which would remove the city from liability and put a notice on title against Art Knapp, is scheduled to take place next month.
Art Knapp owner Wim Vander Zalm, who has maintained his structures are safe, told The Tri-City News after its print deadline he's pleased Funland is back in business as many birthday parties were cancelled over the nine days. "There was a lot of disappoinment when we weren't open," he said. "It was tough."
Asked if the Funland violations had been fully rectified, Vander Zalm responded, "It's not as easy as that.... but we have been approved to re-open."
Funland is a fundraiser for the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation; it closes Oct. 31.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
