Ross Street Patio officially became the city’s first Entertainment District on Friday, and welcomed customers to sit down and enjoy their alcoholic beverages the very same afternoon.
On Friday city council passed second and third readings of the Entertainment District Bylaw which allows adults to consume alcohol at the picnic tables and benches on the patio. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased from businesses within the site and must be consumed within the boundaries of the district.
“It’s go-time,” said Brandon Bouchard, Downtown Business Association chair and Tribe restaurant and bar manager.
“The signs are going to be put up here momentarily on the entrances and exits of the Ross Street Patio saying no alcohol beyond this point, explaining a couple of the rules,” he said Friday.
New to Alberta, Entertainment Districts are designated public areas where adults may consume alcohol outside of licensed premises while enjoying various types of entertainment.
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Bouchard said no special event was planned for the first day.
“We just want humans to fill the spaces. We look forward to seeing all the new faces and regular faces down here.
“Now more than ever, it’s a great time to be downtown in Red Deer. It’s the place to be. There’s so much to see and do. It’s a great space to gather.”
He said in the past when restaurant patios were full, there were no other outdoor options available for customers. Now they can relax on Ross Street Patio which seats about 75 people.
Located on the north side of Ross (50) Street, between 49 Avenue and 50 (“Little Gaetz”) Avenue, the Ross Street Patio Entertainment District will operate weekly from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Public intoxication, underage drinking, cigarette smoking or vaping and use of cannabis are not permitted within the district.
The DBA was designated as the operator of the district and will be responsible for managing the day-to-day use of the site. Other businesses or individuals interested in hosting events on Ross Street Patio will require a special event permit from the city.
While the bylaw could be expanded to include other locations in the future, it currently applies only to the Ross Street Patio area.
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“We’re excited to partner with the Downtown Business Association on this innovative project to enhance Ross Street Patio, one of our community’s favourite gathering places,” said Konrad Dunbar, engineering manager with the city.
“We are confident that this initiative, in combination with other downtown revitalization projects, will noticeably increase the vibrancy and positive use of our downtown core.”
For a schedule of Ross Street Patio events, visit downtownreddeer.com/ross-street-patio.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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