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School District 43 pushes back against drinking in public parks

District has concerns about inappropriate behaviour, poor role modelling and underage consumption
Drinking in public parks
Port Coquitlam council will decide tomorrow whether to approve public drinking in six local parks.

A new brew pub, alcohol consumption in neighbourhood parks and a new McDonalds could be coming to Port Coquitlam.

Tuesday, Port Coquitlam council will be asked to approve building permits for two construction projects in the city and amend two bylaws permitting consumption of booze in seven public parks.

If approved, the booze in parks initiative would allow the consumption of alcohol at Castle Park, Settlers Park, Gates Park, Lions Park, Aggie Park, Evergreen Park and Cedar Park as a pilot project until Oct. 31.

However, the city has received some push back from School District 43 because it doesn’t want to see alcohol at three parks near schools.

A staff report notes SD43 has concerns about drinking in Settlers Park, a portion of which is owned by the school district, Gates Park, which is next to Riverside secondary and where the city and the district have a joint user agreement, and Cedar Park, which is adjacent to Cedar Drive elementary school.

The district is worried about student safety, concerns about potentially inappropriate behaviour due to alcohol consumption, poor role modelling and possible access to alcohol by underage students, according to a staff report.

Coquitlam RCMP has also been consulted and has asked the city for more restrictions, enhanced monitoring and bylaw support to keep a lid on problems.

Tuesday, at its regular 6 p.m. meeting, council will be reviewing the pilot and decide whether it should go ahead, with the proviso that there will be signage designating the area where public consumption of alcohol will be allowed and ongoing public consultation.

The initiative is part of the city’s plan to allow for more social gathering opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As well, council will be asked to approve a development permit for multi-unit industrial building at the corner of Kingsway Avenue and the Mary Hill Bypass, which will contain a brew pub, among the businesses.

Also up for approval is a development permit for facade and landscaping changes at the former Carls Jr. Restaurant at 1940 Oxford Connector so McDonalds Restaurants Canada Ltd. can move in.

To watch the meetings virtually, visit here.