SUNDRE – A resident who lives just a few hundred metres away from the Sundre Rodeo Grounds expressed concerns to council last week about summertime cabarets or concerts that cause their home’s windows to vibrate well into the middle of the night.
Although Lorraine Berg did not express any issues about daytime events such as the annual rodeo, the longtime Sundre resident of about 30 years told council on May 8 during the regular meeting that last year’s outdoor activities that followed the Sundre Pro Rodeo reverberated loudly throughout the surrounding area until 2:30 a.m.
Making note of some upcoming events scheduled at the rodeo grounds throughout the summer months, such as the Shady Grove Bluegrass Music Festival in July as well as Adamstock in August, Berg asked council, “Is this something that’s going to be a thing for the town now; it’s going to be like we’re going to make it as a tourism attraction, have music festivals in Sundre at the rodeo grounds?”
Mayor Richard Warnock said council considers requests from different groups on a case-by-case basis and must attempt to evaluate their potential merit to the community when making a decision on whether to approve it.
While council has historically approved noise bylaw relaxation requests in the past for events including fireworks displays and outdoor concerts, few are permitted to run as late as 2 a.m. The bluegrass music festival, for example, which the mayor said he attended last year, was largely wound up by the time it was dark.
Seeking to more precisely understand what Berg was requesting from the municipality, Warnock said, “What’re you asking us?”
“I don’t want to hear the music until 2:30 in the morning; that’s a little bit much,” replied Berg. “I was hoping they could go back to the arena.”
Coun. Todd Dalke suggested further speaking with residents about the issue and perhaps contacting the Sundre Rodeo & Race Association as well, but added that as a general rule of thumb, the municipality is indeed endeavouring to encourage more events in the community; but not necessarily late night concerts.
“Yes, we want to encourage events,” said Dalke. “But not so much at 2 in the morning.”
Coun. Jaime Marr said council always has the opportunity to debate noise bylaw relaxation requests as they arise, adding that the organizers of Adamstock specifically requested permission to go on until 2 a.m.
“We chose to accept their proposal,” said Marr, later going on to add that to date, “we haven’t heard of any (other) concerns.”
Berg also asked if council might consider setting a limit on the number of events allowed to transpire on weekends.
“Do you think at some point, you’re going to say, ‘Well, you can’t do this every weekend,’” she said.
Coun. Chris Vardas echoed Marr’s comments, adding the decision for Adamstock has already been made and that this was the first time council heard concerns.
“The rodeo’s done it two years now I think and we’ve never heard anybody complain about it before,” Vardas said about the outdoor concert that follows after the pro rodeo’s evening performances.
However, moving forward, it’s something council will bear in mind, he added.
“But we try to promote as much business to come into Sundre as possible to also generate income for everybody around; it benefits everybody economically,” he said.
Berg wanted to have noted that “it really would not be appreciated” if just about every weekend on the summer calendar ended up booked with concerts or loud events that run into the early morning hours.
“We will definitely take under concern your comments,” said Warnock, adding council is committed to working on finding a balance between residents’ concerns as well as enticing groups to host events that bring beneficial financial ripple effects to the town.
The mayor also encouraged her and any other residents with issues to fill out at the municipal office a form detailing concerns with a date to create an official record.
Dalke added the Sundre Pro Rodeo is a community staple that has run for decades and that while the municipality has no intention of deliberately upsetting neighbours, council will continue to support the rodeo.
Berg emphasized her issue was not with the rodeo, but rather the Saturday night cabaret and associated music that blasts until 2 a.m.
Dalke responded that while the municipality wants to bring in more events, few will go on as late as 2 a.m. He added that the municipality would also like to welcome groups organizing daytime music festivals or other types of activities that offer residents access to a variety of entertainment and recreation options right next door.
Council accepted Berg’s presentation as information.
