With the 2015 edition of the Pemberton Music Festival set for July 15 to 19, organizers are looking to improve on areas that were lacking in 2014.
At the Feb. 3 regular meeting of Pemberton council, Brian Lamb of HUKA Entertainment made a presentation highlighting the successes and challenges of the 2014 edition.
For the most part, last year's festival was a vast improvement over the inaugural installment in 2008, Lamb told council, particularly in the areas of site layout, traffic management and dust abatement.
But after having some time to reflect on the 2014 festival, HUKA is moving forward with recommendations for improvement, including supplying more shaded areas, bringing less equipment and a possible move towards site-wide liquor licensing.
"Throughout our debrief sessions the overall consensus was it was well organized and properly executed," Lamb said.
"(But) it was a challenging event. I used to have dark hair before this event happened, but it got a little grey since then."
Two of the biggest concerns — the noise level for residents on the Plateau and the on-site location of local vendors — will be looked at as well.
The Blackcomb Stage — which was pointed directly at the Plateau — will be removed.
Solutions to the concerns of local vendors involved with the 2014 festival are also being looked at.
HUKA estimates that the festival spent over $2.1 million with Pemberton Valley businesses in putting together the festival, and an additional $375,000 on local lodging.
Attendance was estimated at 75,000 cumulatively over the five days of the event, with 13,500 campers on site.
2014 Fire Services Report
Also at the Feb. 3 meeting, Pemberton Fire Chief Robert Grossman presented to council the 2014 Annual Fire Services Report.
In 2014 there were 240 calls for service, for everything from chimney fires (11) and grass fires (19) to false alarms (30).
The department also completed 42 fire inspections and had eight candidates successfully complete rookie recruitment and training.
Asked what the plan was for mitigation of grass fires in the area, Grossman said prevention would be a big focus in 2015.
"The province... has the FireSmart program in place, so the mandate for this year is to get that out, (make it) more visible," Grossman said.
PVTS Administration shifts to Pemberton
The Village of Pemberton will soon take over administrative duties of the Pemberton Valley Transit System (PVTS) from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
Effective April 1, the village will enter into a one-year contract with an option to renew for another year after that.
PVTS users shouldn't expect any changes to service during the switchover.
Council endorses updated Water Conservation Plan
Also at the Feb. 3 meeting, council gave its endorsement to an updated version of the 2010 Water Conservation Plan.
The endorsement was needed to procure the remaining $240,000 of grant funding awarded for the project.
Since the plan was adopted in 2010 a number of initiatives have been completed, including the installation of low-flow toilets in municipal buildings and timers on municipal sprinklers.
The plan includes the continued inclusion of a utility bill insert and the creation of a Water Efficiency Newsletter.
