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Beer garden gets green light from council

W1 still needs to get support from bars to dedicate 100 per cent of profits to charity

A local charity or charities could be in for a windfall this spring if the beer garden during the World Ski and Snowboard Festival goes ahead.

On Monday Whistler council approved the three-hour village beer garden on the basis that 100 per cent of the profits go to charity.

Sue Eckersley, director of events for W1, which produces the WSSF, said she must now take council's stipulations to the local bars for their approval.

By press time on Wednesday she had support from Whistler-Blackcomb, the Longhorn and Black's Pub to give all profits to charity.

W1's plan is to set up a beer garden during an outdoor concert at the base of the mountain on Saturday, April 9 from 7 to 10 p.m. Local bars will be involved in the beer garden.

Council was hesitant to approve the beer garden last week without information on the impacts to the local bars, hotels and stores in the village.

Eckersley presented them with information on Monday night showing 11 bars and businesses supported the beer garden and two were opposed.

The garden will be big enough to hold roughly 4,000 people. They will be divided from the general concert-goers who will have a space dedicated to them closer to the stage. Eckersley said they are also looking at prohibiting in and out privileges between the garden and the other area to prevent drunk concert-goers creating disturbances for families and children.

The April 9 concert act has yet to be named.

W1 was hoping to bring in a big name talent and charge admission to the concert to help pay for it. But after council's feedback and comments from the public, they are looking to bring in a lesser-known act but keep the concert free.

Eckersley also said the beer garden still hinges on final RCMP approval.