Public get say on lounge capacity change

KAMLOOPS – The public is being given a chance to air any concerns or support for a capacity increase at the Commodore Grand Cafe and Lounge on Tuesday before council makes the decision whether to lend support to the application or not.

The downtown lounge is asking for an increase to 107 persons from a total of 86. The hours will remain the same and owners Dino Bernardo and Chris Monteleone have already said they would sign another good neighbour agreement, which covers off things such as noise and cleanliness.

As of Friday the city had received correspondence in support of the application from several people, including Rob Medves of Cactus Jacks Saloon and Dance Hall and city staffer Jen Casorso on behalf of the social planning council.

The change would still leave the lounge as one of the lowest capacity venues downtown, with the Hotel 540 lounge the only other establishment below 100.

Council showed support for an increase at a meeting earlier this month, with several noting based on their personal observations the lounge could easily accommodate more people. If council does approve the capacity increase the application will then go to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch of B.C. for final approval.

Council will consider the application during the regular council meeting Tuesday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to voice support or concerns about the application can do so at the meeting.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.