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Still no dice for Chilliwack Chances patrons who want to dance

Chances wanted an "entertainment endorsement" for dancing, talent shows, singalongs and other types of patron interaction

Chances patrons are still not be permitted to get up and dance.

An application from Chilliwack Gaming Ltd./The Well for a permanent change to its food primary licence to add an "entertainment endorsement" failed — again — to get approval from council Tuesday night.

It was brought back for reconsideration by Mayor Sharon Gaetz this week, but it failed in a 4-2 vote, with Coun. Sue Attrill and Coun. Jason Lum voting in favour.

Chances officials were applying for an "entertainment endorsement" that would allow dancing, talent shows, singalongs and other types of patron interaction at the gaming centre restaurant, called The Well, as well as on the patio.

Several reps from outlets with liquor primary licences showed up to express their opposition to allowing The Well to have the endorsement for entertainment, as it would give them unfair competition.

But Chances officials will be looking more seriously at applying for a liquor primary licence in the wake of the council decision, said Howard Blank, vice president of Great Canadian Gaming.

"We had stated that we would be going for our liquor primary," he said.

Were they disappointed by the vote?

"No we're a good, very solid corporate citizen," Blank said. "So we'll be digesting council's decision, and reviewing what our next steps will be."

Coun. Stewart McLean voted in favour last month but he voted against this time when the matter came up again.

"It just seemed there had been a lot of discussion around this issue," he said.

In fact, it was the third time that council voted on it, and it failed each time.

Chances officials said they intended to apply for a liquor primary anyway.

"I thought that maybe they should just get it done and over with and save all this upheaval," said McLean. "That way it will be dealt with — end of discussion."

jfeinberg@theprogress.com

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Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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