Mixed Martial Arts could be coming to ve

Mixed Martial Arts could be coming to Vernon

Mar 12, 2019 | 5:58 PM

Mixed Martial Arts could be making a return to Vernon.

The city banned the sports in 2014 after concerns were raised about health and safety and organized crime.

According to the City, those caught breaking the bylaw are subject to a $10,000 fine or jail time.

Mixed Martial Arts are currently regulated by the B.C Athletics Commissioner, but municipalities have the ability to regulate and prohibit the sport at a professional level from taking place.

Councillor Kelly Fehr put forward the motion on Monday to to rescind the by-law.

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“I don’t see any reason as to why we wouldn’t proceed with letting a sport exist in our community, ” said Fehr.

“I know the original hobble was that the RCMP said that there is a lot of gang activity affiliated with it, but that’s no longer the case, “said Coun. Mund who also suggested sending a letter to the province to lobby them to change the rules around Mixed Martial Arts sports.

But some councillors said they would like to see input from the RCMP and stakeholders before they make a decision.

“To me it is just disrespectful not going back and saying can you just weigh in on this. We can still make up our own minds, but can you at least weigh in on this to see if anything has changed because clearly things have changed,” said Coun. Quiring.

“I’m with Councillor Quiring. I can’t vote in favor of this without making sure that all of the parties present their reports.”

Council voted to defeat the original motion of prohibiting Mixed Martial Arts and Councillor Fehr’s motion to rescind the bylaw.

They will now direct staff to speak to the RCMP and those in the industry about the possibility of bringing the sport to the city.