CITY'S RAVE-CLUB BYLAW IN PLACE - JUST IN CASE

City council quietly passed a new bylaw this week for controlling
all-night youth dance parties or raves.

With no discussion around the council table Monday night, the late
night club/event bylaw was approved unanimously.

Mayor Wayne Ayling said later the bylaw will regulate late-night,
non-alcoholic paid events.

"We will see how effective it is to provide a safe as possible
environment for our youth," he said.

The bylaw provides a number of restrictions for those attending the
parties and its operators.

The definition of a late night club or event includes the gathering
of 20 or more patrons at a location during the hours of 2 a.m. to 6
a.m. No one under the age of 16 will be able to attend and alcohol is
forbidden.

Operators will also have to obtain a $450 licence for a late night
club or a $250 licence for a late night event. Details on where the
event is being held must also be provided.

The club or event will have to set up and maintain proper security
plans, such as refusing entry to people who appear drunk or under the
influence of drugs. Operators will also have to ensure noise outside
the club or venue is minimized.

Ayling said the bylaw attempts to provide some "common sense" rules
and that it was never an issue with the city that raves shouldn't be
allowed.

"There are youth that are interested in this type of entertainment
and we want to make sure that it happens in common-sense fashion,"
Ayling said.

"We hope this bylaw does provide an environment for common-sense
enjoyment and we're also hoping that the problems of other
communities can be avoided. Only time will tell."

Raves have been criticized in other cities such as Edmonton as a
haven for youth to experiment with drugs.