New policy to impact local events

A new policy will require users of township facilities to hire security staff for events with attendance of 100 or more when alcohol is being served.

The policy applies to public and sporting events including concerts, and ticketed stag and doe events. Generally, private, invitation-only events such as weddings and business meetings can be exempted at the discretion of hall boards.

Manager of Parks and Recreation Amanda Murray said the policy was crafted to limit liability for both venues and patrons. By reducing the potential for alcohol-related issues, the Township of Clearview reduces its liability risk and fosters safe, enjoyable facility use for public enjoyment, states the policy.

The policy was actually adopted by Clearview council in March of 2025, and Murray’s team has been meeting with community groups to educate them about the new rules since last summer. The changes have been phased in gradually, as those presentations were made.

“The township’s original policy was approved in 2012, and hadn’t been updated to reflect changes to the province’s Liquor Licence and Control Act (2019) that deals with serving, selling and consuming alcohol,” according to Murray. “We started testing small changes in 2024 and council eventually adopted the new policy last March. The old policy spoke of off-duty police officers forevents with alcohol but that was a huge expense for event organizers so it was never enforced.”

The focus of the policy is to ensure adequate supervision and safe serving at all township facilities including rec centres and halls, as well as events hosted in parks and on closed streets, said Murray. Those costs will be borne by event organizers, and will vary based on the type, size and duration of events.

Debbie Hill, the booking agent for Creemore’s Station on the Green, said the cost of hiring private security may be prohibitive for renters.

“The township came to our September meeting to talk about the new policy. It was one week before an event which we had already booked that included a sit down dinner. It would have cost about $700 for security and we expected alcohol sales of less than $1,000 so we said we would have to do the event without alcohol. Eventually, the township decided to give us a pass for that event.”

Murray said in the past, there were problems with over consumption, people bringing outside alcohol to events and leaving the premises with alcoholic beverages.

It is incumbent upon organizers to provide non-alcoholic beverage alternatives and safe transportation options.

Murray stresses the role of township is not to be the enforcer of the policy, but rather to provide a level of education and empowerment. Anyone renting a township facility is expected to signify their compliance.

Meetings have not yet been held with all organizations, including the Avening Hall board and the Creemore Business Improvement Area board.