Councillor seeks info on allowing drinking in public places

A Vernon councillor is asking city staff to look into loosening the rules to allow drinking alcohol in some public places.

Scott Anderson said it’s something the City of Penticton is looking at on a trial basis at a couple of beaches to encourage residents to get takeout and alcohol from local establishments and enjoy it outdoors.

“The rationale behind that is, because restaurants are very constrained in who they can serve, and many of them do serve alcohol with their takeout, it would make sense. We see people sitting in parking lots talking and socializing because there is no place else to do it,” Anderson said at council this week. “I’m wondering if we should be looking at that.”

While Anderson feels it deserves looking into, Councillor Akbal Mund says he’s opposed to it as it could take away sales from liquor establishments that are just reopening.