Open Air Weekends debated during budget sessions, report to return to council

Continued from Page 2

McArthur also referenced the contribution offered by The Core.

“They want to give us $20,000 and we acted like they urinated on the rug,” said McArthur said during Wednesday’s deliberations, referencing the Tuesday night debate.

McArthur added the more active the streets are, “the better it is for everyone.”

“It hasn’t reached its full potential yet,” McArthur said of Open Air Weekends.

During Tuesday night’s budget deliberations, “The Core” was represented by business owners Richard Peddie, Jodi McLean and Taelor Brouyette. They noted the $20,000 was collected through $2,000 contributions from businesses, most of whom are in the downtown core, though Peddie stated all businesses are welcome.

McLean said she had “a front row seat” to watch families and visitors at Open Air and doubted her business (Terra Green Gardens) would have stayed open without it.

The hours that had come into effect Feb. 10 were, according to the town “to maximize the safe use of the indoor playing field and the walking track.”

The hours were made to be 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and weekends from 8 a.m.-12 noon.

The motion passed at the Feb. 13 town council extended the hours back to what they were before administration made that decision and announced it on social media Feb. 6.

Legal advice was sought and the matter was discussed at an in-camera meeting Feb. 22, with that legal advice resulting in the Feb. 13 motion being rescinded.

“Last year’s footprint was very successful,” she said. “With additional activities, it will continue to thrive.”

The Core representatives stated eight new businesses opened downtown and 38 new jobs were created, plus work for authors and artisans.

“Having restaurants and retail on the street gives off a festival feel,” said McLean.

Peddie said the issue of accessibility was a town policy. He added those who attend Open Air are very positive about it and “it saved a lot of businesses” with Brouyette adding her sales at Pink Pisces have been “astronomically high” during Open Air.

Allaire said the town did “a great job” with Open Air but also believed businesses did better simply due to a reduction in COVID-19 health restrictions.

“It’s unkind to say Open Air is the only way businesses stayed open,” she said.

Peddie maintained feedback they hear is positive, but Pouget said the feedback she hears is from businesses who don’t want Open Air. She said some businesses feel their business is hampered by Open Air Weekends and that surveys taken by groups showing positive feedback come back with that result because they survey people already there.

Other businesses “don’t feel Open Air is needed,” said Pouget.

Voting in favour of getting a report on the pros and cons of various business models for Open Air were Prue, Courtney, Allaire and Pouget with Crain, McArthur and Gibb opposed.