Council gives youth centre 2nd chance

Despite getting off to a rocky start after its doors opened in October, a youth activity centre in downtown Penticton has been given a second chance at life.

Based on complaints from neighbours and non-payment of fees, city staff on Jan. 27 suspended the business licence for The Whole, a storefront at 651 Main St. that features a skateboard ramp, games and musical equipment for bands.

That prompted an appeal to council Tuesday by owner Carrie Lee Walker, who argued she did the best she could to navigate the labyrinth of regulations attached to opening and running a business in the city, but had to learn on the fly.

“We actually were running music until midnight, but we cut it back until 11. I didn’t understand that there was a Good Neighbour Bylaw,” said Walker, a Penticton native whose centre is open until 10 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends.

“I do believe all the noise complaints actually come from before I was open,” she added later.

“Me and the volunteers were using the back door to come and go because I was told by city bylaw (staff) that I wasn’t allowed to have my front door open, and I think we disturbed the neighbours at that time.”

Building and permitting manager Ken Kunka told council complaints from multiple neighbours about noise, public intoxication and other disorderly conduct prompted 11 visits from police. He also pointed out staff had bent over backwards to help Walker by extending temporary permits and not issuing fines for safety deficiencies or other bylaw violations.

“Staff don’t have any issues with the business model, it’s just the way it’s been conducted,” he added.

Walker acknowledged there had been alcohol on the premises, but said it was consumed only when the centre was closed for business. She also told council she has no plans to serve booze in the future.

Noting the need for more youth activities in Penticton and more life in the downtown core in general, council voted unanimously to reinstate The Whole’s business licence, provided Walker pays outstanding fees, takes steps to mitigate sound from the centre and obeys all local bylaws.

“Everybody here knows I built a career off of building fun and exciting events for young people, and there’s certainly a learning curve with that,” said Coun. Max Picton, referring to his past work as a nightclub promoter.

“What I’ve heard today is we have understanding from the business owner as to what the difficulties have been leading up until now . . . . There seems to be a genuine desire for compliance, and so I would fully support this.”