One other day, one other damaged window at a downtown Kelowna, B.C., enterprise.
“It’s irritating, it interrupts enterprise,” stated Jasmine Dhillon, supervisor at Eyestyle Eyecare.
The optometry clinic had one if its home windows smashed early Friday morning.
“We did have gates, and we do have safety movie on the precise glass, so that they weren’t capable of really are available,” stated Dhillon.
Police say they responded to a name of mischief in progress on the Bernard Avenue enterprise and made one arrest.
Whereas enterprise operators fork out 1000’s for repairs and safety measures, they’re studying a city-organized discussion board to listen to their considerations can be going to value them.
“You’re charging us cash to go to our personal discussion board?” requested Todd Daniels, proprietor of Gallery Streetwear. “Ridiculous.”
The Jan. 27 occasion on the Kelowna Neighborhood Theatre requires enterprise operators to pre-register and pay.
Whereas admission is simply $5, it’s sparking a number of criticism.
“It’s simply the precept of it,” Daniels stated.
At Mosaic Books, the place damaged home windows and thefts are an everyday incidence, the charge got here as a giant shock.
“That caught everyone’s consideration,” stated Michael Neill, the shop’s proprietor. “”It doesn’t make any sense and we’re making an attempt to determine it out and hopefully the town has an excellent motive for this.”
Nobody from the town was accessible to reply questions on Friday however in an electronic mail to International Information, a spokesperson stated the $5 admission isn’t about income however extra about deterring folks from registering, taking on a seat after which not exhibiting up — as is usually the case with free occasions.
“Free of charge occasions, we frequently see 40–70 per cent attrition, which suggests seats get taken by individuals who don’t present up and others who actually need to take part aren’t capable of,” the e-mail acknowledged.
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“We didn’t need that to occur right here.”
It’s a motive, nonetheless, not everybody accepts.
“It’s a pack of chewing gum. It’s not going to, like, ‘Oh my God, I ‘m going to lose my 5 {dollars} if I don’t go,’” Daniels stated. “That’s the most insane considering I’ve ever heard.”
Conservative MLA for Kelowna Centre Kristina Loewen can be holding an analogous discussion board in early February, one she says is free.
“I’m listening to that persons are shocked the town is charging and I feel there’s some confusion. Individuals are questioning if that is my occasion and I need to be very clear, this isn’t my occasion,” Loewen informed International Information.
That occasion is being held on the Revelry on Ellis Road on Feb. 6 beginning at 5 p.m.
Whereas Loewen stated the town has its causes for the admission charge, she added that charging folks to attend is just not her strategy.
“For the enterprise homeowners, there’s no assist they usually’re speaking about smashed home windows and the associated fee that that’s having and that that’s inflicting their enterprise after which right here’s one other 5 {dollars}, it does seem to be a bit of little bit of a slap within the face,” Loewen stated.
Town stated proceeds from the admission charge will assist a Kelowna-based charity.
Whereas it’s not recognized which charity, Daniels nonetheless hopes the town reconsiders.
“It simply appears tack,” Daniels stated. “I feel it is best to give everybody their a refund.”
Neill echoed the sentiment.
“They need to make it a free occasion,” Neill stated. “I’d additionally simply like to know what was the considering within the first place.”
© 2026 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
