A proposed entertainment venue in Campbellton is taking another step forward.
This, after city council members voted to recommend that the province approve the transfer of a liquor license from the former Voodoo Lounge location on Ironwood Street to the old Acklands-Granger building on Island Highway.
Staff had recommended denying the transfer, based on the location of the establishment, as well as its capacity and hours of service.
The proposed venue has been a polarizing subject. Those in favour say it’s sorely needed as an entertainment option in the city. Those in opposition, including some neighbours, voiced their concern about late-night noise and its proximity to homes.
There are 27 single-family homes within 100 metres of the property.
With the exception of Councillor Claire Moglove, the council voted in favour of the transfer recommendation to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).
Moglove said recommending the transfer was the wrong decision.
“I think that having an establishment like that in an area that is adjacent to homes… is really a wrong signal to send,” Moglove said.
The recommendation comes with a list of conditions of a future business license. Among them:
- Hire an independent sound consultant to provide the city with a report confirming that the nightclub operation will not contravene the city’s Public Nuisance Bylaw noise regulations.
- Enter into an agreement with the city stating that failure to comply with the City’s noise regulations will result in the city taking steps to suspend or revoke the business license.
- Retain the services of a security firm that will monitor the outside of the nightclub and adjacent parking areas from one hour before and one hour after closing to ensure that patrons do not create noise or cause disturbance that would contravene the city’s noise regulations.
- Erect a fence and landscaping along the northern perimeter of the property and parking areas to prevent vehicles from exiting onto the lane and to reduce the transmission of noise between the establishment, its parking areas and the adjacent residential areas to the north.
- Registration of a Section 219 covenant securing a shared-parking agreement.
- Off-sales of alcohol is prohibited.
- Confirmation of an approved building permit.
Councillor Ron Kerr spoke in favour of the recommendation.
“Campbellton is in transition but Campbellton is also a transitional area,” Kerr said. “That is part of the strength of Campbellton is that it has your commercial, it has your industrial, and it has your residential. It’s a dynamic mix and that is what makes Campbellton different from any other place in Campbell River.”
Kerr said if you’re going to live in an industrial/commercial/hotel area, “you’ve got to understand that there are certain things that go along with that, and sound is one of those things.”
He points out that the venue has its supporters.
“The CNA (Campbellton Neighbourhood Association) supports it; most of the business people down there that I’ve spoken to support it; many, many, many of the residents in Campbellton support it,” Kerr said. “So I certainly can’t think of any reason why not to move this along. Ultimately, we’re not going to be the ones who will make the final decision, it’s going to be the (Liquor and Cannabis Regulation) Branch.”
The existing liquor license at 1140 Ironwood has been dormant for two years and lapsed on Feb. 18.
Councillor Colleen Evans said this could be a “moot point” if the provincial government doesn’t approve an extension period of the transfer.
Councillor Charlie Cornfield said the concerns such as excess noise and “associated activities after the club closes” can be rectified.
Cornfield also said there isn’t a place in the city where you can go out for dinner and listen to live entertainment.
“This is not a Voodoo Lounge, this is not a JJ’s, this is something that the city currently doesn’t have,” he said.
During a Jan. 27 public hearing, council voted to defer the application, “pending a staff report addressing hours of operation, capacity, and providing additional information with respect to petitions, and a letter requesting an extension to the license application be provided to the Liquor Control Board following the meeting.”
Ken McEachnie, who will be the venue’s manager, spoke during the public hearing.
He said that their goal was not to open up a nightclub, but a venue that would cater to all different demographics of the city, as well as the rest of the island, “therefore making it a destination.”
McEachnie said the venue would host signed music artists and tribute bands, and theatrical productions.
