Canal Days concerts may move to park
Port Colborne’s Canal Days committee is proposing moving its three-day concert series to H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park from Market Square to allow for more attendance and room.
A staff report to come before council Monday night said the company that books entertainment for the festival — TNR Productions — has worked to secure a renowned Canadian musical group to headline the 2018 concert series.
“Due to the popularity of the headliner, the potential for a large-scale audience to attend the Canal Days concert series has significantly increased. Staff and the committee have worked to ensure the size of the concert venue aligns with the festival’s growth. In order to accommodate a significantly increased number of attendees, the committee has recommended relocating the Canal Days concert venue …” the staff report said.
It said the park has hosted a number of other municipal events, including Flavours from 2007 to 2014, and is capable of hosting concerts of a large capacity.
“Canal Days has outgrown several concert venues over time. In the past, concerts have been held on Clarence Street, Charlotte Street and, most recently, Market Square.”
It said the relocation of the concert venue to the park has been reviewed and approved by the Canal Days committee, city staff and the special event resource team made up of city, Niagara Region and provincial agencies and staff.
“Relocating the concert venue to H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park will allow the city to increase the capacity of the concert venue. Market Square accommodates approximately 6,000 attendees … the park accommodates approximately 10,000.”
The stage would be located at bottom of the hill, the north end of the park, with speakers facing south to the open lake.
“This will help with the noise factor and offer optimal viewing,” the report said.
It added that staff have worked to identify low-lying areas in the park and will have measures in place to ensure these areas are built-up prior to the event, in case of rain.
“In addition, all infrastructure will be secured against Lake Erie winds.”
The report also talks about road closures and parking restrictions in and around the park during the weekend, along with security at the entrances/exits of
the park. The boat launch and playground would also be shut down for a period of time.
Moving the concert venue to the park would increase police, security, medical and other expenses as well, and the report said there would likely be a corresponding increase in revenue.
“Council has increased the festival budget by $15,000 to accommodate increased expenses and has also increased the entertainment budget by $40,000. In addition, police and security qualify as expenses under the grant funding for the festival.”
The council meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. on the third floor of city hall.