(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

DRINKING IN THE PARK

Kamloops council green lights pilot project to allow public drinking in Riverside Park this summer

Jun 11, 2025 | 3:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — This summer Kamloops residents will be able to responsibly crack open a cold one at Riverside Park, thanks to a pilot program approved by council on Tuesday.

The city of Kamloops will be following a host of other British Columbia communities this summer by allowing public consumption of liquor in Riverside Park, in the area next to the Rotary Bandshell. The pilot project will be reviewed throughout the summer and at its conclusion this fall.

Drinking to be permitted within the red outlined area (credit – City of Kamloops)

“Also enjoy the beauty of Riverside Park and also the sounds of Music in the Park,” said Andrew Smeaton, business operations and events supervisor with the City of Kamloops. “This is just one small step to increase experiences in Riverside Park, and in the downtown area to encourage visitors to spend more time in downtown Kamloops. From an events perspective, responsible liquor consumption will not be allowed during community events — other than Music in the Park — or if the bandshell is already booked.”

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The City of Kamloops did consult with both the local RCMP and Interior Health in forwarding the recommendation to council, which was passed by a unanimous vote.

The pilot project will run this year from adoption of the bylaw on June 24 until October 1 with drinking allowed between the hours of noon and 9:00 p.m. daily.

“In this Responsible Liquor Consumption Pilot Project, we are not licensing the space. It’s adopting a bylaw so that we are not prohibiting alcohol consumption there. The responsibility is one the individuals that are in that space and the public can also more or less hold each other accountable and responsible in that space,” outlined Smeaton.

While consumption will be allowed, the RCMP still retain the ability to arrest anybody for public intoxication if things get unruly.