Heather Wright/The Independent

You won’t be able to bring your own booze to special events in Petrolia.

That after council decided not to adopt the BYOB policy suggested by the province.

The Conservative government drafted legislation allowing municipally designated cultural or community outdoor events to allow residents to bring their own alcohol instead of buying it at the events. That would include places such as farmer’s markets, movie screenings, art exhibits and neighbourhood festivals where designated areas would have to be set up.

While the province will allow the practice this spring, it is leaving the decision up to municipal governments.

Petrolia’s clerk, director of parks and recreation and director of marketing arts and communication, said in a report to council that the practice could become problematic.

“The rationale behind the expansion to BYO is said to be an economic driver, after much discussion, locally, we do not see that would be the effect.

“In fact, after the event organizers take in the new costs for the municipal permit, additional insurance, security, fencing and clean-up they may see the reverse effect where a no or low-cost event has to create or increase admission costs to off-set these new requirements.”

The report adds BYO events would have “additional challenges” following the liquor license laws.

“If visitors bring their own alcohol there could be issues with underage consumption, and over consumption for those of age. Also there would be the challenge of visitors bringing their own coolers and backpacks to our events,” the report said. The staff members expected the events would need more staff or volunteers to deal with any potential problems.

Councillor Bill Clark spoke against the idea.

“Many of us spent many hours sitting through Smart Serve training to learn how to recognize when to stop serving people. Most of our events are family events, and if we allow people to bring alcohol in from outside of the event, it makes it extremely difficult for us to police that and manage,” he said.

“How do you cut people off from their own cooler?”