Battle lines being drawn over Kelowna’s newest nightspot

Whether it’s a nightclub or a “whole new way” of enjoying a music hall is at the core of what could end up as a legal battle over the Revelry, Kelowna’s newest entertainment facility.

“Should a lawsuit be filed against us, we will respond in kind,” Lee Simon, of Revelry Food and Music Hub, wrote in a news release today, Sept. 26. “Live music is always worth fighting for.”

Last week, the new venue won unanimous support from Kelowna city council for its liquor licence application to the province. That triggered a Gofundme campaign launched by Lloyd Pederson in an effort to raise $25,000 to cover legal fees to try to stop the facility from opening.

READ MORE: Kelowna residents fundraise for legal action against entertainment venue

Pederson, in his post, refers to it as a nightclub that is within 200 metres of the Madison condo tower.

“This will be extremely disruptive to the residents of this neighbourhood,” he posted. “As well, a further five new residential condo buildings are being constructed, or proposed, within a 200 metre radius of the Revelry.”

Simon, for his part, said he met with Pederson in July 2020 when Pederson was president of the Madison's strata council and was told by Pederson that he would “oppose our project by any means possible.”

He accuses Pederson of spending $4,000 of strata council funds to hire a professional to oppose the project and says Pederson only contributed $500 of his own money out of the $5,900 raised so far. That is true, according to Gofundme. Madison resident and homebuilder, Les Bellamy, is the largest single contributor, by far, at $2,000.

“Most traditional nightclubs are not open during the day,” Simon wrote. “Nor do they consistently charge for event tickets, provide restaurant service, have a full-service kitchen, offer meeting facilities or present programming for a variety of ages, including youth.

“Nightclubs tend to have modest cover charges at the door, offer limited or no food and focus on alcohol as a primary profit driver. In further contrast, we pursued a dual food license because our concept will operate as a food primary establishment approximately two-thirds of the time.”

READ MORE: Revelry warming up a new music venue for downtown Kelowna

Terms of its business licence requires that music events stop at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, 11 p.m. weekdays. The facility will stay open for an hour after the events.

There could be up to 600 patrons at stand-up music events along with up to 85 staff and musicians.

Simon points out that Pederson has not even gained the support of the majority of residents in the Madison. To date, 14 donations have been made. There are 57 units in the Madison, according to Pederson’s post.

“Those who chose to live in the Cultural District but wish to contest the addition of a new privately funded arts-based business are prioritizing their own wants and needs over an overwhelming majority,” Simon wrote. “Kelowna is evolving. In this post-pandemic environment, new models are required to save live music – because it is in trouble. We will continue our endless work on behalf of live music, and the countless benefits and connections that it provides for our community.”

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