The City of Vancouver might allow alcohol on public beaches and parks, but could that concept be coming to Kelowna?

This spring, the Vancouver Park Board held a survey regarding their concession stands around the city. One of their questions read, "If provided in a responsible manner, do you agree or disagree with the sale of alcoholic beverages at Vancouver Beach Parks concessions?"

The study was closed on May 29 and the board could not be reached for immediate requests on their findings. 

In B.C., the province is responsible for regulating liquor laws, but a provision was added to the provincial legislation in 1976 which allows municipalities to change bylaws when it comes to allowing alcohol on public beaches and other public spaces.

Tom Wilson, a spokesperson with the City of Kelowna, said a city bylaw currently prohibits alcohol on local beaches and they have no plans to amend it.

“There has been no call from the public to change this, so it’s not on anyone’s radar to change the bylaw at this time,” said Wilson.

Tyler Dyck, CEO of Okanagan Spirits craft distillery, said he would support Kelowna following a more European model when it comes to allowing alcohol out in the open.

“Consuming alcohol in a responsible manner in a public place, I don’t see why it would have everything going to hell in a handbasket,” he said. While he continued to say that he doesn’t foresee it creating a booming business, it would be nice to enjoy an alcoholic beverage at the beach.

“When I travel in Europe, I love being able to buy a bottle of wine and sit in the park and have cheese and a baguette and wine,” Dyck said.

He said his business isn't concerned about people going overboard consuming fine spirits in large quantities, and thinks if people want to make a fancy drink at a picnic, why not?

“I think anytime you open up public choice…it’s a good thing,” Dyck said, explaining that he’s pleased with transforming liquor laws under the Liberal government. “I think it’s opening things up and putting the onus more on the individual.

“It would allow opportunities to have more community events and have alcohol here or there.”

Photo Credit: KelownaNow.

The Kelowna RCMP wouldn’t comment on the possibility of changing legislation, but Dyck said he thinks it might be a safer option.

“It promotes responsible use of alcohol,” Dyck said. “Out in the open it’s much easier to regulate. If someone is at the beach or the park and they’re having a bottle of wine, a gin and tonic, or a craft beer, I’m sure they’re going to clean up after themselves and just have a great picnic there, rather than hiding it away in a backpack and trying to chug as much as they can so they’re not going to be seen.”

The Downtown Kelowna Association said it won’t take a stance on the issue unless the idea is proposed in the city.