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New operator sought for Powell River Recreation Complex food concession

Negotiations taking place to re-establish service
City of Powell River director of parks, recreation and culture Ray Boogaards
CLOSED DOWN: City of Powell River director of parks, recreation and culture Ray Boogaards outside of the Powell River Recreation Complex concession, which has been without an operator since before summer. Powell River Kings will be holding a couple of tailgate parties early in September to make up for concession not operating. Paul Galinski photo

While Powell River Recreation Complex has been without a food concession since the spring, efforts are underway to re-establish the service.

Director of parks, recreation and culture Ray Boogaards said the city is in negotiations for a new operator right now.

“It’s just in the discussion stages,” said Boogaards. “We are hoping to have something in place by the end of September.”

No contract is in place at this time.

Boogaards said Powell River Kings have four home games coming up early in September, with the hockey club facing Alberni Valley on Friday, September 6, and Saturday, September 7; Chilliwack on Friday, September 13; and Cowichan Valley on Sunday, September 15. There will be no concession available at the recreation complex for those games

Boogaards said there are options available and he has talked to the Kings about having tailgate parties with food available.

“We’ll be leaving that up to the Kings to decide how they are going to address that issue,” said Boogaards.

When the new concession is operating, Boogaards said the city’s expectation is that it will offer a good selection of food and beverages.

Boogaards said traditionally, the concession has not been open in the summer months but in the last two years, Bite Club, the former concession at the recreation complex, operated throughout the year.

“Our numbers are significantly down in those summer months,” said Boogaards. The larger events, such as PRISMA and International Choral Kathaumixw, typically organize catering.

“Where we need a concession operator is from September through to the end of March, beginning of April,” said Boogaards.

Some operators who have been in the concession have chosen to be open all day, into the evenings and weekends and some have opted to be open when it’s busier, according to Boogaards.

Kings are planning a couple of tailgate parties during the opening two weekends of the season. Nadine Porchetta, director of marketing and business operations for the hockey club, said on September 6, there will be a tailgate party during the home opener against Port Alberni Bulldogs, hosted by Save-On-Foods. On September 13, there will be a second tailgate party for the game against Chilliwack Chiefs, when the Interact Club, sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Powell River, will be hosting.

“That’s two of our Fridays in September so there will be a Saturday and Sunday that won’t be covered at this point,” said Porchetta. “These parties are always a big hit with our fans. We are going to provide that service without the concession open at the moment.”