Image Credit: Pexels

By Victor Kaisar

Open Liquor Pilot Program

Kamloops Council to consider ‘responsible liquor consumption’ pilot in Riverside Park

Jun 7, 2025 | 10:59 AM

KAMLOOPS — People in Kamloops will be able to legally crack a cold alcoholic beverage in a portion of Riverside Park this summer, if City Council approves a proposed pilot program.

A report going before Tuesday’s (June 10) City Council meeting is proposing bylaw amendments that would allow for “responsible liquor consumption” on the lawn near the Rotary Bandshell between the pickleball courts and the playground.

In the report, Andrew Smeaton, the City’s Business Operations and Events Supervisor, said more than a dozen B.C. municipalities have already successfully adopted similar programs.

“The responsible consumption program is designed to allow moderate and social use of liquor, and evidence from other communities indicates that incidents and reports related to liquor have declined in the designated areas since the adoption of their programs,” Smeaton wrote.

“Municipalities have legalized these programs in accordance with provincial legislation and updates to their municipal bylaws.”

Stay Ahead of the Curve with Kamloops' Trusted Property Manager - Rohit Kumar

May 20, 2025

Two and Out

PETERS: Mayor's accountability push is more than a little rich

34m ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: June 19, 2025

23h ago

Area of Riverside Park where open liquor consumption would be permitted. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

In Kamloops, the idea was born out of a recommendation from Councillor Bill Sarai, who said last year that he envisioned attendees at events like Music in the Park bringing their own alcohol with them.

“Or have, maybe a Tourism Kamloops kiosk that is selling white and red wine in plastic glasses…to enhance the experience that not only our residents are requesting, but visitors as well,” Sarai said, at the June 27, 2024 Governance and Service Excellence Committee meeting.

Staff from the City of Kamloops and Tourism Kamloops looking into that and have put forward proposed bylaw amendments to allow liquor consumption in Riverside Park from May 15 to Oct. 1, between 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m. every day.

Smeaton also suggested the area around the Rotary Bandshell for the pilot owing to its “access and visibility for residents, City staff, and security personnel; higher frequency of event programming; and alignment of park usage trends with responsible consumption activities, such as picnicking and attending Music in the Park.”

“The program supports social well-being by providing outdoor socialization options and encouraging the use of green spaces,” Smeaton wrote, adding its becoming more relevant in Kamloops as more people live in apartments without private gathering places.

“Responsible consumption programs reflect a shift in urban policy toward recognizing the park as a shared community space, where natural surveillance and social norms regulate behaviours rather than strict prohibition.”

According to the proposed bylaw changes, public intoxication would not be allowed in the pilot area, and RCMP or Community Services Officers will still be allowed to order people to dispose of their liquor.

“There are resources in place to support the 2025 pilot program,” Smeaton added, noting the fence around the construction site for the new outdoor skating rink will help clearly designate the pilot area.

Signs will also be installed to mark the pilot area so RCMP can enforce the liquor restrictions if people are found with a beverage outside that designated area. Additional security will also be brought in for Music in the Park, which runs July and August.

According to the bylaw, people also won’t be allowed to drink alcohol within 15 metres of a playground or recreation infrastructure including sports courts and fields, in parking lots, in the river, or the pier, or in public washrooms.

Smeaton also noted that the City will collaborate with Interior Health on “key messaging” regarding the risk of liquor consumption, specifically to with drinking and driving. It’ll also warn of combining liquor with water-based activities like boating or kayaking, and remind people about the compounding risks of drinking and summer heat.

If the pilot goes ahead, Smeaton said people will be able to provide feedback throughout the summer, adding that information will then be presented to Council in the Fall.

“This evaluation will be provided to Council to inform future Council direction regarding responsible consumption in City parks and public spaces,” Smeaton added.