All eyes on Bernard Ave.
Madison Erhardt
The Kelowna City’s “Meet me on Bernard” program was officially launched on Wednesday with the aim of bringing more pedestrian traffic and shops to the city center.
But with a recent and unruly gathering of well over 1,000 people on Bernard Avenue on Canada Day, some fear the area will become a popular public party venue.
Police said there were multiple assaults during the large gathering and one child was hit in the face with a firecracker. The officers were pelted with bottles. The following night, although the crowd wasn’t nearly as large as on Canada Day, the police had to deal with several fights.
“I’m concerned about what we’ve seen over the past weekend and days, so I would ask everyone, especially visitors – because I think some of those who come here feel like they are coming to Kelowna , and they “go partying and they don’t care what they do. So I ask everyone who comes here to be respectful. Remember that this is our home. “
Downtown Kelowna Association executive director Mark Burley believes Canada Day weekend will remain an isolated event.
“That was late at night. That was long after people my age group were kind of roaming downtown Kelowna. We have four blocks here with lots of space for people, not just lengthways but also widthways – so I think we’ll be fine. “
This summer, Bernard Avenue will be closed to vehicle access between Blocks 200 and 500.
DKA President Yarden Gershony says many eyes are on the city center.
“There are always staff here. We have the red shirts, the on-call team in downtown Kelowna. We have the clean team, the blue shirts. And at least six RCMP foot patrols and bicycle patrols. There is a strong presence in the city center. “
Mayor Basran says the city is in contact with the RCMP about further policing plans this summer.
Meet me on Bernard runs until September 6th.
