Burl’s Creek Event Ground has landed a big win now that a temporary use bylaw has been approved.
The Ontario Municipal Board approved the bylaw, which means the event park will be able to use 600 acres of land for camping and parking, according to Mayor Harry Hughes. The bylaw will stay in effect until December 2018.
Two conditions still need to be met in order for the temporary use bylaw to take effect. Details on those conditions weren’t made public on Friday.
“We have to finalize the issues around the OMB ruling in terms of requirements for the temporary bylaw to actually be in effect,” says Hughes. “At the same time, Burl’s Creek have a permanent application before council.”
Hughes says the announcement should bring a sigh of relief to anyone who purchased tickets to the WayHome Music and Arts Festival and the Boots and Hearts Music Festival.
“I think what’s significant about this is the fact that people will be able to come on the grounds and buy tickets with certainty the events will go forward.”
It’s a sentiment the owner of Burl’s Creek shares.
“A huge sigh of relief. This is really our first day now that we can be open for business,” says Stan Dunford. “I’m looking forward to the opportunities that are gonna come here to Burl’s Creek and to Oro-Medonte.”
In the past, the event ground has only had approval to use 92 acres of land for the music festival. The township has even voted down special event permits that would have allowed use of 400 acres of land that is zoned for agriculture. The event ground has also been fined for breaking previous bylaws.
The township is expected to release more information at a news conference on Monday.
