RAVE ON? CITY WILL HAVE ITS SAY VIA BYLAW

The city is one step closer to creating a bylaw governing raves and other
late-night clubs or events.

On Tuesday, the city's protective services committee approved a draft bylaw
put together by Grande Prairie Enforcement Services and moved that it be
considered by city council for adoption.

The proposed bylaw forbids alcohol and condemns drug use on the site where
youth congregate to dance all night and the club or venue won't be allowed
to remain open later than 6 a.m.

In July, the committee postponed recommending the bylaw until the Mistahia
Health Region and AADAC had a chance to review and submit comments on it.

Among its concerns were the need to set an age limit for attendees, to
ensure compliance of such federal, provincial and municipal regulations as
Health Act, safety and fire codes, and land-use bylaws.

It was suggested that violation of any of those regulations could result in
revoking or suspending a licence.

The committee made a few changes to the bylaw Tuesday.

No person under the age of 16 will be permitted on the premises of a club
or venue.

Shaun Muldoon, a public member of the committee, asked to have insurance
requirements for bylaw applicants.

"Insurance would make people who are really wanting to (put on an event)
more careful about it."

The bylaw will be reviewed at a future city council meeting.