City council voted unanimously Monday night in favour of allowing overnight camping at this summer's Cariboo Rocks the North.
The move came after city manager Kathleen Soltis confirmed staff's opposition to the idea, citing concerns about noise in the neighbourhood, security and the possible need for an increased RCMP presence and whether the city would be liable if things go wrong.
Coun. Terri McConnachie led the charge in favour, noting she supported the proposal when it was brought to council last year saying the B.C. Northern Exhibition, who would be responsible for organizing that aspect of the event, is "very capable."
About 300 people camp at the Exhibition Grounds during the BCNE, she noted.
"This would be nothing new to them, to host camping," McConnachie said.
"In fact, this would be a holiday compared to what they organize for four or five days every year."
Advantages would include drawing more people to the event and keeping drunk drivers off the road, she added.
McConnachie said the city will need to make sure the BCNE has adequate liability in place and that lights would be out within 60 minutes of the show ending each night.
Noting she saw four or five contained fires burning when she walked through the site last summer, Coun. Susan Scott said any fire ban must be monitored and adhered to.
Mayor Lyn Hall noted council's recent decision to reject the RCMP's request for event organizers to pay a fee for their services.
"If the RCMP are called, then we're in a position then to cover that cost," Hall said.
BCNE will still need the city for permission to allow camping at next year's version. Coun. Kyle Sampson, who works for Pacific Western Brewing Co., excused himself from the discussion.
