By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Jan. 14, 2014
A new music festival wants the district to find a Squamish location after SLRD rejected a plan to host the event on Squamish Valley Campground.
The Vancouver-based Bass Fest Events Inc. is planning a music festival in the region from Aug. 29 to Sept.1 this year.
Organiser Trevor Miles said he had been talking to SLRD for the last few months, but was told no permits would be issued for any additional events because of noise concerns.
“We (SLRD) already have a bunch of event permits like these and we have to respectful of those who live there.” Maurice Fritag
Miles said he never filed an official application.
Last month, area residents submitted a request to SLRD regarding late-night noise.
SLRD has a noise bylaw but it can be waived with a special permit, but enforcement has been a challenge.
SLRD Area D representative Maurice Fritag said they have to balance the events with the noise issues faced by residents.
The festival being proposed involves music and partying playing all night.
“We already have a bunch of events like these and we have to respectful of those who live there,” he said.
Meanwhile, festival organizer Trevor Miles is now turning to Squamish and Whistler to find a suitable location.
“Doing this in Squamish would be ideal, and the airport is what Devon (event coordinator) proposed,” he said.
In an interview later, Miles said he has also looked at a few places in Whistler.
A campground or a location removed from homes would be ideal as the music fest will continue well into the night.
“We plan to throw a good party,” he said.
A smaller version of the proposed music fest took place last year on Mamquam Forestry Campsite, with 400 people in attendance.
The festival is expected to bring in 1,000 people this year at the campground; organizers hope the number grows to 5,000 in another three years.
“We try to bring top notch artists from all around the world and also have local artists, dj, etc,” he said.
He said the festival is expected to pump $300,000 in the local economy, which could expand to $1.5 million by 2017.
“With these benefits and future economic spinoffs, we are looking for Squamish council support,” Miles said.
The decision to not allow the event on Squamish Valley Campground will hit business hard, said the campground owner Ali Abolfathi.
“To eliminate events from being able to rent have a direct impact on my family’s well-being,” he said.
Last year, Abolfathi’s business took another hit when Bass Coast moved to Merritt because of noise and traffic issues.
Abolfathi said he contacted neighbours and everyone agreed last year that three events can be allowed on his campground.
Now, he is dismayed with the SLRD decision and wants them to set a standard decibel level and decide what is loud and what isn’t.
“We are committed to ensure that the sound is no greater than 50 decibels in any direction,” he said.
Dave says
I really think we have enough. The existing one has its controversy. We should leave it at that. The big one was here first and it has grown into a monster already…though I do support it….but let’s not get indigestion ( or, rather, auditoryl congestion!)
Colette Morin says
Where do these people get off thinking that shutting down a airport for a music festival is a good idea? They take no consideration to the fact that businesses and private citizens use the airport and that it’s a major part of the community transportation infrastructure, especially in times of emergencies and highway closures. What if something terrible occurred and medivac was needed, or forest fire fighting was required. How quickly do you think hundreds of campers, cars and staging could be removed? What about security of private aircraft and businesses? What about shutting airport businesses during the prime season for the benefit of out of town promoters? It was bad enough that airport users and businesses were severely restricted or shut down during the Olympics without any compensation, now music promoters think they can shut down an airport anytime they want to throw a party! The answer is NO to using the Airport for any such events.
Keith Pearson says
A huge no to any airport in BC Why not use one of the almost empty BC ferries maybe they could get government funding
Jim Crute says
Enough is enough! Shut these guys down and tell them to go away! You want to throw a party for 1000 people? Go somewhere else…..please!
James B says
Just so everyone knows it’s a private airport not for public. If approved would be voted for by all the private owners of the airport, would be rented and paid for and still would require emergency helicopter access.
Not pro or against I’m Just saying