From My Bottom Step

Prior to the last meeting of London’s Community and Protective Services Committee, I alerted you to a public meeting about the proposed ban on the sale of alcohol at the city facilities where receptions are held.

Although there may have been a member or two of the public who were interested enough to make the trek to City Hall and listen to the proceedings, there were no presenters.

Ross Fair (General Manager of London’s Community Services) described an event which he said typifies the approx. 35 alcohol-related events that are held at the city’s community centres each year: “There was underage drinking, public nudity… a huge amount of litter and vandalism in the washrooms…” And he suggested that based upon the city’s experience, the majority of people who use the facilities have no regard for the facilities that they’re allowed to use.

The committee approved this staff recommendation:

• the only alcohol events permitted at recreation and community centres be those that provide a benefit to the public (ie. celebrations or fundraisers in support of sport, recreation, culture or community development); and
• bookings for alcohol-related social events be continued at the Civic Garden Complex and Springbank Gardens.

But yesterday, City Council voted to delay it’s consideration of the proposed ban for now.