The President of Brigus Productions, the company behind the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent, says had St. John’s city council not voted in favour of a new three-year agreement, they would have been done permanently.
John Steele says he’s pleased with council’s approval of a three-year agreement for the 11-day concert series on the shores of Quidi Vidi Lake.
Steele had earlier expressed some concern that an agreement wasn’t forthcoming and considered pitching his tent in Mount Pearl instead.
Steele says contrary to what some might think, he wasn’t bluffing. He indicates it came down to the wire after a deal couldn’t be reached with Mount Pearl. As it didn’t look like it was going to happen there, if St. John’s council didn’t vote in favour of it last night, Steele says the festival would have been done permanently.
(Photo courtesy Iceberg Alley.)
In the meantime, Steele says they do what they can to mitigate any inconvenience to residents of the east end.
He says music festivals are held in cities the world over and the benefits are worth the tradeoff. He understands the inconvenience to people living in the area. He says they rent the land, owned by the Legion and they abide by all the rules to reduce the inconvenience experienced by area residents.
The Iceberg Alley Performance Series is held every September.
Iceberg Alley Festival to Remain in Quidi Vidi
Iceberg Alley has been approved to hold its festivities in the capital city for the next three years.
Council was originally going to debate the application in October. However, Brigus Production Company, which operates the tent, requested the matter be taken off the agenda due to a dispute with the city, following complaints from nearby residents about the noise levels and duration of the event.
It was then announced the company was in talks with the city of Mount Pearl to hold the annual festival there.
However, late last week the company requested the matter be put back on the table with the city of St. John’s. Last night, city council voted 6-2 in favour of giving approval to the festival.
Mayor Danny Breen, who voted in favour of the application, says he is happy to see the event continue in the city, and will be working to find a solution to the issues of residents.
He and ward councilor Hope Jamieson will be working to figure out ways to fine tune the system.
Councilor Hope Jamieson voted against the application; she says it is not suitable for neighbouring residents.
She thinks right now they are asking too much of the area.
