Pilot Project for Saturday Market Approved

CRD Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Pilot Project for the Market in Centennial Park

Salt Spring Island, BC– The Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission approved a pilot project for the Saturday market to expand on Friday and Sunday’s targeting the three long weekends in July, August and September. The decision was based on the survey results in response to more than 600 petitioners for increasing vendor opportunities. Information compiled from the survey identified Friday and Sunday as an opportunity to increase the number of vendors and to create a venue for entertainment. The current zoning for the park limits expansion of the market on Saturday’s.

The three long weekends in July, August and September, will include the market being open on Friday evenings 5:00pm to 9:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm. The front paved portion of park will be available for 60 vendors on Friday and Sunday’s with entertainment in the gazebo featured on Friday evenings and children’s activities on Sundays. The process for market spots on Friday would be allocated through reverse seniority, with new vendors receiving first choice, and the Sunday market spots to current seasonal vendors first to ensure opportunity is provided to both groups.

“This is a positive step forward as the Saturday market is a key economic driver for the island as well as a social hub for residential island life,” said CRD Director Wayne McIntyre. “The pilot project will provide an opportunity to try some of the recommendations that the research report identified and work towards building on future successes for the market. I want to thank the petitioners as well as the diverse groups who responded to our survey including the Ganges merchants, market vendors, visitors and Salt Spring residents. We have listened and acted on your input.”

Additional to the pilot project, an evaluation of the pilot will occur with recommendations for long term implementation and budget considerations. The dates identified for the three long weekends are June 27, June 29, August 1, August 3, August 29 and August 31.

The CRD is a local government that delivers 200+ regional, sub-regional and local services for residents of the region which includes 13 municipalities and three electoral areas within 2370 square kilometres on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24 member Board of Directors, the CRD is working to serve the public, and build a vibrant, livable and sustainable region.

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June 2, 2014 2:23 PM