As residents from around the northwest prepare for Prince Rupert's annual Seafest celebration from June 9-12, organizers of one of the weekend’s larger and more popular events announced on May 24 that it won’t be returning in 2011.
According to the Prince Rupert Lions Club the annual Seafest Gardens, a beer gardens and social dance which they have hosted for more than 30 years and which is often attended by more than 1,000 people, has had to be cancelled due to issues around security for the event.
“In 2008, the Province of BC initiated rules for licensing that require security staff at events of this nature to be fully licensed under Sections 1 and 2 of the Security Services Act where the license is issued under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act. The licensing process involves taking a Basic Security Training course and acquiring Individual Security Licenses for 20 Security Staff. Due to the timing of the rule implementation we were unable to meet these requirements in time to hold the event this year. Private Security Services are not available in our area in the numbers required,” read a statement from the club.
“We will look forward to hosting this community event next year…This is the largest single annual fundraiser the club hosts and it supports many community groups that participate in the event to make it a success.”
Funds from the Seafest Gardens go toward projects in the community that have included community parks, supporting the food bank, assistance with the purchase of medical equipment and the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital and more.
“We want to thank the community for their support of Lions events, your support makes our work possible and we look forward to celebrating with you at our Gardens in 2012,” said the club.