Update: Barrie city council approved the special-events exemption at its meeting on May 13, 2019 without further discussion.
Closing a portion of Sunnidale Park for the Barrie Native Friendship Centre's 30th annual powwow next month flies in the face of what the city's central greenspace is supposed to be all about, says the ward councillor.
At Monday night's general committee meeting, Coun. Barry Ward said he's "very opposed" to approving special-event exemptions that would allow the powwow to be held at Sunnidale Park.
"I'll support it for this year, but I want to point out that it goes against everything that was set out in the Sunnidale Master Plan that we adopted in 2009," said Ward.
The exemption still requires council approval next week.
The master plan makes it "very clear" that the park, a former golf course that became a city greenspace in 1972, is only to be used for passive uses, Ward said, such as recreation and cross-country running meets.
The powwow, which will be held June 1-2, includes charging admission, having vendors on site and "even camping, all things that the master plan says are not going to be allowed in the park," Ward said.
For the powwow, a barrier would be installed around the event perimeter and there would be a suggested $5 donation (and a food item for the Hunger to Hope Indigenous food security program) to cover admission for people who attend.
The master plan was created after the city proposed to build infrastructure in the park.
"In return for the city putting a water reservoir in the park, there was a deal made," said Ward, noting that meant there would be no more infrastructure placed in Sunnidale Park and, secondly, that it be a passive park.
"This is going directly against what the master plan says," he said.
The councillor said he can make concessions and support it this year, but not going forward, as there are many other areas of the city where the powwow could be held.
A city staff report says the Indigenous community will start each day at 5 a.m. with a sunrise ceremony involving a hand drum and pipe ceremony. The powwow hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday.
The event includes traditional dancing, drumming, singing, and a vendor market with traditional crafts and gifts. A sacred fire will be lit and maintained by a fire-keeper, and a feast will be held for all of the dancers, drummers, and volunteers.
Coun. Gary Harvey asked whether there were any other locations in the city that would be more suitable for the powwow.
Mayor Jeff Lehman noted that the Barrie Native Friendship Centre's plan is to hold the powwow at the future site of the ceremonial fire pit near the Southshore Centre, and that Sunnidale Park is only a temporary location until the waterfront site is up and ready.
Karen Dubeau, the city's director of creative economy, confirmed the intent is to move the pow wow to the Southshore Centre area.
"We're working with our colleagues in (the recreation department) on conflicts and bookings," she said, adding weddings are often booked at the Lakeshore Drive facility months in advance.
"That's one of the challenges this year and it might raise itself again next year," Dubeau added.
In terms of other possible locations, Dubeau said there are no other parks that would suit events such as the pow wow.
"One of the challenges as the city continues to grow, our waterfront is at capacity for special events, so that is a consideration we will need to discuss further as we look at our growth," she told councillors Monday night.
In her report, Dubeau says the pow wow's return to Barrie has helped increase attendance and accessibility, growing from 1,000 people in 2017 to 4,000 last year.
"After many years at venues outside of Barrie, the (Barrie Native Friendship Centre) powwow returned to a site within the community in 2018, Red Storey Field, and the event was held in partnership with Celebrate Barrie for the first time," she said.
BNFC officials have worked with city staff "to ensure that all permits and exemptions were in place and the event was very successful," Dubeau added.
As with most festivals, parking and noise have been raised around the powwow, she said.
"The site was selected to provide optimal sound barrier between nearby residential areas and distance from the Dorian Parker Centre, while providing BNFC organizers with a suitable site close to off-site parking," she wrote in her report.
A plan that encourages off-site parking and shuttle transportation is also being developed.
Ward said he hopes city staff will not allow a similar event to take place at Sunnidale Park in the future.
"This is hopefully a one-time event (at Sunnidale)," he said. "It's only a few weeks away and it's valuable community event, so I'd hate to see it jeopardized."
