Vancouver will likely get one public fireworks display this year after the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation approved the motion.
The board voted to allow the event at the English Bay Beach Park. However, no date has been set yet.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!Mayor Ken Sim personally introduced and pushed the motion in response to the cancellation of the Celebration of Light.
The decision did not come without criticism, as the cost of the event is expected to be around $2 million.
Some commissioners and councillors are questioning the costs while Sim’s administration is moving to cut some services around the city due to the mayor’s ‘zero-means-zero’ budget.
One of the cuts will involve reducing the number of lifeguards around Vancouver, including Spanish Banks, the location of the fireworks show.
In her comments on the decision, Commissioner Laura Christensen refers to this controversy.
“I find it immensely frustrating when we request a small $600,000 to keep our beaches safe. We are turned down, but the mayor will step up in the case of a $2,000,000 fireworks show. I think that dichotomy is disappointing.”
Commissioners Brennan Bastyovanszky and Scott Jensen echo the criticism.
Bastyovanszky voted against the new event, saying he thinks it would be a “hollowed out experience”.
“In this time of belt tightening, to have a private party for 100 VIPs that is being paid for by taxpayers, I think it is irresponsible,” said Jensen.
According to City Hall, the event will feature a drinking lounge and food trucks.
In November last year, the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society announced that it would be suspending the Celebration of Light festival, a three-night event.
The society said one of the reasons for the cancellation was that it lost nearly $450,000 in federal funding.