Having a beer on the beach in Penticton could be legal next week

Residents and visitors could be enjoying their favourite alcoholic beverage on an Okanagan Lake city beach or park in Penticton next week.

City council will consider amending the parks bylaw at its meeting on Tuesday, June 2, to allow a trial period of legal consumption of alcohol at several parks and beaches. They include S.S. Sicamous Park, Okanagan Beach Park, Rotary Park, Gyro Park, Okanagan Lake Park and Marina Way Park.

The trial period for booze on the beach would run from June 3 to July 4. People would be able to partake from noon until 8 p.m., seven days a week. No glass containers would be allowed, which is in the existing regulations, and of course drinkers must be at least 19 years of age.

The City has received input on the bylaw change from various stakeholder groups including the Downtown Penticton Association, the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, Travel Penticton, Interior Health and the RCMP.

Interior Health said it wanted to ensure COVID-19 protocols were adhered to. The health authority was concerned about the potential for increased alcohol consumption and the impact on youth.

Council will be asked to give the amendment first, second and third readings at its meeting on Tuesday, June 2.