Crowsnest Pass Municipal Council voted unanimously at the Council meeting last Tuesday, February 7th to proceed with the Rum Runner Days and Thunder in the Valley festivities.
Council discussed the matter after receiving a recommendation from Councillor Emile Saindon, chair of the Rum Runner Days Committee (RRDC), to proceed with the event provided several changes are made.
Councillor Andrew Saje asked if the committee is confident that the event can be planned safely and effectively.
“There is concern by all members of the committee… over some of the traffic issues and security issues,” Councillor Saindon replied.
“Those are issues that need to be resolved prior to moving forward.”
The changes proposed by the RRDC include eliminating random camping within the municipality, designating alternative camping areas such as the parking lot of the Crowsnest Sports Complex in Coleman and the ski hill parking lot, moving all swim meet camping to a designated area away from Blairmore streets, shuttle services to bus all attendants of Saturday events into town with designated parking areas outside of town, fencing off and patrolling the CP Rail right of way in Blairmore, designating one-way traffic through Blairmore on Saturday, limiting parking to designated streets, increased visitor information access prior to and during the weekend, admission to the main fireworks venue and limiting of the number of people allowed in that area, and possible hiring of security firms to increase supervision of key areas of concern.
Municipal Chief Administrative Officer Myron Thompson noted that Council and Administration will also need to create a fireworks bylaw in order to meet statutes laid out by the provincial government, as well as a special events bylaw, in order to provide direction for such events.