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The GRCA has confirmed Hockeyfest will not be held at Brant Conservation Area. A media release issued by the organization at 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday is below.
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The Grand River Conservation Authority confirmed today that Brant Conservation Area will not be the venue for the Hockeyfest music festival June 1-3.
The GRCA took steps to terminate its contract with Hockeyfest on Friday May 25.
Since then a variety of emergency agencies, municipal politicians and the GRCA have engaged in efforts to satisfy concerns they have about the safety of those attending Hockeyfest.
The GRCA believes that it is important to send a clear message to the public that Hockeyfest will not proceed this weekend at Brant Conservation Area.
Today, all public emergency organizations that would be involved in this event met with the private security and paramedic firms designated by the Hockeyfest organizer.
The promoter had not made satisfactory arrangements with providers of public emergency services.
In addition, none of the private contractors were prepared to commit their services for the entirety of the weekend.
There is not sufficient time to resolve these issues before the scheduled start of the festival on Friday.
It was critical that there be dedicated police and emergency medical personnel on site during the event.
However, the Brantford Police Service advised that they had not been contracted to provide officers dedicated to the event.
Brant County OPP had not been contracted to provide sufficient traffic and safety services around the parking area on Colborne Street West. As well, Brant County had not approved any necessary road closures.
The Brantford Fire Department had only received a fire safety plan on Monday. The submitted plan did not meet the Ontario Fire Code. In particular the fire service was concerned that the exits in the plan were insufficient to accommodate a possible crowd of 20,000.
Brant County Ambulance had not been contracted to provide dedicated services for a festival of this size.
Neither the private security firm nor the private emergency medical company were prepared to commit to being on site throughout the entire festival.
As the campsites were booked through the organizer, the GRCA regrets that it cannot make the sites available and those who have booked sites should deal with Hockeyfest.
Please see the Brantford Police Service website for more information: www.brantfordpolice.ca.
“he Brantford Fire Department had only received a fire safety plan on Monday. The submitted plan did not meet the Ontario Fire Code. In particular the fire service was concerned that the exits in the plan were insufficient to accommodate a possible crowd of 20,000.”
Seems like the GRCA and the City set Ralph up to fail and make him look bad, and kill one of the best things that happens in this city. They know there is 1 way in and 1 way out, and no way to make another road. Did they think only 4,000 people would show up like Canada Day.
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Wow all of this is very disturbing that one week before the event they decide to address these issues. He obvoiusly received a permit from the city of Brantford to host the event in brant park. One would think if the permit was issued all these checks would have been made prior to that. A liquor license had to have been issued for the event on order for a beer tent to be there, a noise permit was issued by the city to him last week. It is funny how in London they have hosted Hawk Rocks the park for year, the sunfest, the Ribfest and many more both in Harris park and in Victoria Park which in turn generates millions of dollars to that city. I truly think that all these powers to be should get there heads out of their arses and truly look at the big picture here. Get what ever security is need and safety plan in place to truly assist in making this happen. The mere fact that all of this was leaked out to the media as it all unfolded is gonna kill any hope if Brantford ever bringing in any kind of festival of this sort back here.
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are the people in brantford really that gullible,,like come on people,,its not that hard to figure out whats going on here,,its nothing to do with all they are saying in the paper,first it was one thing ,than another,,now they are even saying it would scare the birds,,please,,and why did they wait untill 4 days before the event,,i know why along with a few others ,,and i now have a very very new look at how this “city” is run and by whom,,i have a feeling that alot of people ,,young people will be voting this year and it wont be for friel thats for sure!
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