The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board of directors put its support behind a proposed bar to be built at the Trans Mountain Pipeline work camp near Valemount.
ATCO Frontec Ltd. applied for a liquor licence to operate a 130-seat lounge at the 600-room work camp, located on Whiskeyfill Road roughly six kilometres southeast of Valemount. The regional district's board of directors voted in support of the application on Thursday, but the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch holds the final decision-making authority.
The regional district received no feedback from the public on the issue. Director Dannielle Alan, who represents the Robson Valley-Canoe area, said she believes the district would have received feedback if it had held a public hearing in the area, instead of just soliciting written statements.
"I'm very disturbed at the lack of comment we're receiving on an issue that I know has people interested in it," Alan said.
Alan also raised concerns about the lounge's compliance with provincial health regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by the regional district board was made a day before provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced there was a confirmed case of COVID-19 at the Site C work camp near Fort St. John.
Valemount Mayor Owen Torgerson, who sits on the board as a director, said he's in favour of the application.
"Trans Mountain has arranged a shuttle service from the camp," Torgerson said. "(An) All WorkSafeBC and, of course, public health orders would apply."
In its application, ATCO Frontec said the lounge would be open from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week. It would not be open to the general public, only workers at the camp and their registered guests.
"The concept will be to market Valemount Lodge Lounge as an on-site Lounge to provide a safe and controlled environment for the work force to consume alcohol," ATCO's application said.
