Pubdate: Wed, 5 Jul 2000
Source: The Banff Crag & Canyon (CN AB)
Copyright: 2000 The Banff Crag & Canyon
Contact: banffweb@telusplanet.net
Fax: (403) 762-5274
Address: 201 Bear St., 2nd floor, Banff, Alberta, T0L 0C0
Website: http://www.bowesnet.com/banff/
Author: Dayna Connoly

TOWN CONSIDERS RAVES

A special meeting is being held today (July 5) at 3 p.m. in Town Hall to
handle the hot potato of raves in Banff. The Community Services Advisory
Committee scheduled the meeting after tabling the issue last week.

Community Services has received four requests to hold an all-night dance
party, and is currently asking for committee input before passing the issue
by Town Council.

"If we say no, we have to have a reason why not. We can't keep sitting on
the fence," said Dave Millard, the committee's chairman.

The issue was also tabled by the Police Advisory Committee last Thursday
(June 29).

The biggest concerns about holding a rave in Banff revolve around safety,
given their reputation for easy access to drugs such as ecstasy.

"It's just a big party," Grade 12 graduate Joy Rattie told the Police
Advisory Committee.

A rave is different from a high school dance because "people would come from
all over to go to a rave in Banff," said Rattie. Whereas, at a school dance
"you know everyone," she explained.

"If you have it (a rave) till 6 a.m., it might even help with noise... if
you don't serve alcohol," said the committee's youngest member.

Committee member James Strachan, a United Church minister, said he was
concerned about "overuse of ecstasy."

Citing ecstasy post-symptoms that cause users to "zone out," Strachan said
he was largely concerned with "large numbers of cars filled with people who
are somewhere else."

The Police Advisory Committee anticipated most rave attendees would come
from elsewhere in the Bow Valley and from Calgary.

People do not become combative, violent or dangerous after using the drug,
however they are a hazard behind the wheel, Strachan said.

"People who have used ecstasy have died... and that's the fear. There's the
statistically small percentage who are going to stroke out."

While not expecting the promoters or organizers to supply drugs to people
attending, concern was expressed about not being able to control those who
would.

"There's been a lot of bad press, you automatically associate rave with
ecstasy," Millard told the police committee.

The reason raves have hit the media is the drug use and potential for
fatalities, said Town facilities and program manager Mary Brewster.

Raves raise several questions, including whether or not municipalities are
condoning drug use, said Brewster.

While 80 per cent of rave attendees in Toronto have been found on drugs,
Brewster said, "I don't believe it's that bad yet in our part of the
country."

From the department's research on raves, it was found that ravers are a
unique crowd. They are young (between 14 and 25), predominantly white and
come from middle-class backgrounds.

The movement started in England in the 1970s and expanded in North America
in 1993 and 1994. Once illegal underground events with a barrage of
techno-music and visual stimuli that saw people dance until dawn (or until
the cops came), raves are often staffed by professional security services
and police are often in attendance.

"From the community's perspective, safety of attendees is the No. 1 concern,
partnered with the appropriateness of the event in a national park town."

While requests to hold a rave have been mainly for use of the Banff
Recreation Centre, which has a narrow window when the curling ice is not
laid, other requests have come forward for privately-owned facilities such
as parkades.

Community Services is technically allowed to rent its facilities for this
type of event, but if safety, appropriate use or a controversial issue is
involved the department runs the idea past its committees, said Brewster.

One promoter has asked to hold two to three raves a month.

"We're not satisfied with that," she said.

The police and fire departments have already said a parkade would not be a
safe venue, said Brewster.

For his part, Community Services director Rockland Helpin advised the
committee to reject the requests, citing no long-term benefit to the Town.

Although Town Council has not yet addressed the issue, one promoter has
taken the liberty to advertise an upcoming event in Banff on a Web site,
said Brewster.

Addressing the growing concern, the province hosted a Rave Summit in Calgary
on June 3, which Brewster attended. A similar summit was held in Edmonton on
June 4.

In Calgary, people pay between $20 and $30 for a rave ticket. Promoters pay
hefty rental fees and are often required to pay damage deposits and
insurance fees including up to $2 million to $5 million to cover
liabilities. Brewster said the Town would likely require a one year business
license for $450, while Calgary is considering charging $250 for each event.
Currently, the city does not license raves, but Brewster said the Town of
Banff is watching Calgary Parks and Recreation closely to see how raves are
handled.

"The Minister (of Children's Services Iris Evans) is saying the province
should be responsible for health and welfare," hence the concern about
raves, said Brewster.

Haney was the sole objector to the Police Advisory Committee's decision to
table its decision until its meeting next month (July 27 at 3:30 p.m.) when
it could hear from a rave promoter.

"An event that flies in the face of appropriate use... I would not support a
function like this."