For the first time in it’s history, the City of St. John’s is placing a cap on the number of people who can be on George Street during the Oct. 29-30 Mardi Gras.

Both the city and George Street Bar Owners’ Association have agreed 4,200 is the maximum number of people allowed on the street while bands are playing on the stage at Prince Edward Plaza.

The city’s special events advisory committee recommended the cap due to liability concerns.

For instance, it’s imperative emergency vehicles have access to the street if need be. Also, the cap mitigates concern over people getting injured in a crowd.

Deputy mayor Gerry Colbert, who noted there were about 6,000 people on George Street last year for the Mardis Gras, asked Monday how organizers will be able to ensure the cap isn’t exceeded.

Art Cheeseman, the city’s director of engineering, said the event organizers plan to keep a tally of the number of tickets being issued while there’s entertainment on the stage.

Still, Colbert said the Mardi Gras is a popular event that attracts people from all over the province. “I have this gut feeling that there’s going to be quite a crowd outside the gate wanting to get in and, obviously, we’re not going to allow it,” he said. “Added security might be advisable.”

Cheeseman said that concern has been raised with the bar owners’ association and “they are providing a lot of security.” “In addition, we’ve also asked them to pay particular attention to the issue of crowding the stage and ensuring that pathways are kept free for emergency purposes,” he said.

Like Colbert, Coun. Dennis O’Keefe questioned how the rules will be enforced. “In terms of being realistic and practical, who knows how many will end up on the street,” O’Keefe said.

City solicitor and chief commissioner Ron Penny said the city has to be satisfied that 4,200 people is the maximum number of people that will be allowed on George Street. “So (bar owners) have to provide security and provide a ticketing system,” he said.

Cheeseman noted individual clubs will even monitor the number of people departing the premises to enter the street.

“O’Keefe responded: “I don’t know who’s going to do the tallying but it’s going to be interesting.”

Coun. Keith Coombs said the bar owners’ association is taking the issue seriously because they want the Mardi Gras to continue.

Coun. Shannie Duff said there was concern the initial capacity limitation would hinder bar owners who had already signed contracts with various bands.

But Cheeseman said the capacity number was refined over the past several days through discussions with the bar owners’ association. “It’s a number that our director of buildings and our director of fire services feel comfortable with,” he said.

The city plans to meet with the association after the Mardis Gras event to assess the cap, Cheeseman said, noting a decision will be made as to whether it should be higher next time around.

Craig Jackson, The Telegram, Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Tonight, five days before thousands of costumed revelers descend on George Street for the annual mardi gras, St. John’s city council will ponder what one Alberta town is doing to keep the peace in its troubled bar district.

It’s likely too late to implement any of the ideas for this weekend’s bash, but then George Street – and its problems – aren’t going anywhere, either, notes Coun. Dennis O’Keefe. “We all know that there are issues down there that have to be resolved if George Street is going to become what it can become potentially – that is, one of the premiere entertainment districts in Canada,” O’Keefe said Sunday in advance of tonight’s council meeting.

The at-large councilor says a tough new bylaw passed by council in Red Deer, Alta. Might be worth a look. According to Forum magazine, a publication distributed to municipal leaders across Canada, the action – which some suggest is the toughest in the country – is aimed at curtailing late-night problems in Red Deer’s downtown bar district.

One section of Red Deer’s new Establishment Licensing Bylaw requires bars to pay an annual operating licensing fee based on approved occupancy permit loads: $100 for bars that hold 1 – 299 people; $500 for 300 – 499 people; and $5,000 for places that can accommodate more than 500.

The fees, which are expected to generate about $25,000 a year, will be used to cover the cost of a part-time bylaw officer, according to Forum magazine. O’Keefe admits that might be a tough sell for local bar owners. “But if we’re going to develop George Street as an entertainment district, not just a bar district, we’ve got to get away from, ‘It doesn’t happen in my bar,’” he said.

“The fact is, when I or my children go down there, it’s not one bar that’s the problem. It’s George Street as a whole. They’ve got to start thinking street-wise as opposed to individual club-wise.”

The move was made in Red Deer, according to the bylaw, to respond to a “significant increase in problems associated with the disorderly conduct” of bar patrons, including violent altercations in the streets, traffic and parking violations, vandalism, littering and noise.

St. John’s can relate.

“It shows that the problems we’re having are not unique; it’s in other jurisdictions right across Canada,” said O’Keefe. “And they’re coming up with ways to deal with it. “So, this is primarily information for council so that we can have a broader understanding of what others are doing, and decide whether we want to adopt some of their ideas.”

One piece of advice offered by a Red Deer councilor, however, will be of little use to St. John’s. “Don’t let proliferation of bars settle in one spot,” Red Deer Coun. Lorna Watkinson-Zimmer told Forum. “We have four bars in a matter of one and one-half blocks.”

George Street has about 10 times that number. “It’s too late for that here,” noted O’Keefe.

Brian Callahan, The Telegram, Monday, October 25, 2004

Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Paul Shelley today provided an overview of the 2004 tourism season based on activity to the end of August 2004. Despite a soft start and a mixed picture in the province’s regions, Newfoundland and Labrador is on track for an improved tourism season overall in 2004, as compared to 2003, when non-resident visitors and expenditures were on par with tourism growth in 2002.

"The tourism industry across the country has not seen tourism rebound as strongly as expected from the direct impacts of past global events. While the impacts have lessened, research indicates that consumer enthusiasm for travel remains subdued both in the U.S. and Canada," said Minister Shelley. "Despite this national trend, Newfoundland and Labrador has continued to hold its own this year. We recognize there are challenges in the industry but overall we remain optimistic that the province is becoming increasingly more known to tourists as a unique and compelling destination."

A number of factors may be dampening the enthusiasm of discretionary travellers including the high value of the Canadian dollar, economic and business cycles, escalating gas prices, transportation costs, border security/border waits, the changing habits of consumers, the U.S. election and the weather. These are national trends and not restricted to this province alone.

The province continues to benefit from a record increase in air passenger movements in 2004. Airport passenger movements at the province’s seven major airports increased by 13 per cent during the months of January to August 2004, compared to the same period in 2003. Direct international arrivals at St. John’s airport increased 10 per cent during the months of January to May 2004, compared to the same period in 2003.

This has been a record year for both the cruise industry and conventions market. The cruise industry in 2004 is reporting nearly double the number of visits in 2003. Approximately 147 port calls are scheduled for 2004, compared to 77 calls in 2003. Approximately 35,816 passenger visits are expected by cruise, compared to 20,351 in 2003. The conventions market has experienced a 40 per cent increase in 2004.

While the province experienced an increase in air visitors, overall passenger traffic on the Marine Atlantic ferry system decreased by nine per cent covering the period from January to August, compared to the same period in 2003, while vehicle traffic decreased 10 per cent. Non-resident automobile visits on the ferry also decreased during that period by a total of 11 per cent, while residents travelling outside the province via Marine Atlantic decreased seven per cent. Exiting bus traffic on the ferry increased six per cent between May and August 2004, compared to the same period in 2003.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s regions are reporting more mixed results than indicated by the overall picture for the province. Areas of the province that rely more heavily on auto traffic have experienced challenges while other areas are benefited from record air traffic, cruise and conventions. Declining auto visits are also reflected in lower visitation at Newfoundland and Labrador’s historic sites, museums, visitor information centres (VICs) and public and commercial campgrounds.

Stan Cook Jr., president of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, the province’s tourism industry association, said: "We are pleased to see that there is an increase in inquiries, however, we are concerned that there is a decrease in passenger and vehicle traffic on the Marine Atlantic service. We need to continue to address this important issue. Vehicle traffic is very important to our industry as those visitors spread throughout the province bringing business to all regions."

Minister Shelley said that, on a positive note, interest in the province as a tourism destination remains strong. Inquiries to the province’s 1-800 number and Web site have increased by five per cent to the end of August as compared to last year.

Judy Sparkes-Giannou, chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Marketing Council said: "An increase in tourism inquiries demonstrates that the province is recognized as an attractive destination, which reflects on the province’s continued efforts to market the destination."

Minister Shelley said government recognizes the importance of marketing the province for the long term and that through consistent marketing efforts, the province will continue to grow its share of non-resident visitors and spending.

Minister Shelley cautioned that the mid-season overview is an evolving picture. "While we remain optimistic that we will experience an increase in total visitation to the province this year, the total picture will not be available until the end of the calendar year," said Minister Shelley. "Our air and auto survey of visitors, combined with all relevant statistics, will give a more complete perspective of the tourism season by year end."

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, (709) 729-0928 or (709) 685-1741

Due to unforeseen circumstances the date for the Annual Downtown Christmas Parade has been changed to SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28. If you have any questions please call 709 726 8244 (SANTA-HI).

The Red Ochre Gallery proudly presents an exhibition of new work by Frank Lapointe. This is the first major exhibition by Frank in St. John’s in recent years.

Frank has an impressive resumé, having exhibited in many countries and his work purchased by many corporate and public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada.
This exhibition LAND-WASH investigates the transitory moods and tensions between land and sea.

Frank is one of Newfoundland's best artists. He has an impressive resumé and was Curator of the Art Gallery of MUN in the 70s.
He has not had a solo exhibition in St. John's for a number of years, although he has had a solo at MIra Godard Gallery (impressive) in Toronto.

The public is invited to the opening reception October 15th 2004 , 5 - 8pm. The exhibition continues until November 2nd.

David Templeton wants to get into an old family business in a big way – as landlord of a new, #7.5 million office building proposed for downtown St. John’s.

Templeton has the plans and the site, and is awaiting approvals from city hall. Those plans call for a four-storey building where Templeton’s warehouse now sits at the corner of Bishop’s Cove and Harbour Drive.

“That’s a lot of money for a paint store, but that shows how much confidence we have in downtown St. John’s,” said Templeton, president of R.A. Templeton. “We’re living in the best place in Canada and we have the best site in this city.”

The plans have been submitted to city hall, and if all goes well Templeton expects the year-long construction project to start in early 2005. Class A office space overlooking the harbour would be ready in 2006, giving Templeton time to follow up on leads to sign up an anchor tenant.

“We’re of the opinion that good, Class A office space in St. John’s is actually fairly hard to find at this point in time,” said Phillip Pratt, architect with PHB Group Inc., who is designing the new building. “There’s little pockets of it, but there is the opportunity for more”.

Meanwhile, R.A. Templeton Ltd. isn’t abandoning the paint, wallpaper and flooring business that’s made it a fixture on Water Street. “Our wholesale and retail business is growing,” Templeton said. “The firm has always been in the real estate business to some extent our front has always been the paint and wallpaper business. “We’ve always enjoyed serving the public – it’s in our blood.”

Templeton also rents space to other businesses and the provincial department of Human Resources.

Along with the new building, the retail side of the business will get a facelift and an extra storey – bringing it up to the three-storey level of every other storefront on Water Street. “It’s not going to be an imitation old building,” Pratt said.

The first thing to go will be the Templeton’s dark aluminum siding on the second floor. The business will get a new warehouse in Donovan’s to replace the aging downtown warehouse that has survived more than one great fire.

With 16,000-18,000 square feet of space, each of the well-worn four storeys is accessible to the other via narrow gangplanks and a lot of crouching. It’s too small for storing some of the furniture Templeton’s now sells. Those living room chairs, chesterfields and kitchen chairs come from China, along with the floor coverings the company imports directly to cut out middlemen that can drive prices up.

The new building will offer about four times the space of the old warehouse. “I’m personally saddened to see the building go. I grew up there,” Templeton said. But he figures its day has come.

Pratt said the new office building taking its place will have an industrial appearance in keeping with the St. John’s waterfront.

Aside from large windows, the main materials will be an aluminum-zinc colored metal and brick. “The front is essentially brick with a bit of metal; the back is essentially metal with a bit of brick. But the same material are used,” Pratt said. “It’s important that Water Street feel like Water Street and the harbourside feel like the harbourside.”

Part of the renovations include expanding the existing 20 space parking garage to 50 spaces. The main entrance for the office building will be on Bishop’s Cove, leading into an atrium that connects the office section with the retail business.

Pratt has a history with the Templetons. PHB Group is located in the old United Can Factory on Plank Road, which was built in 1922 by Templeton’s grandfather. Pratt oversaw the renovations that turned the concrete canning plant into an office and art gallery.

M Baird. The Telegram. Wednesday, October 6, 2004