Photo: Contributed - Caroline Bleackley

The B.C. Safety Authority has pulled the plug on the Rotary Club's annual downtown Christmas light display.

The club had hoped to begin setting up the display in Kerry Park Tuesday, with the official lightup set to coincide with the Downtown Kelowna Association's downtown lightup on Saturday.

This is the third year the elaborate display was to have been set up in the park.

Rotary spokesman Lockie Bracken said the club received a variance from the B.C. Safety Authority the past two years and assumed it would get the same this year.

"We were working with our electrician and had various discussions and meetings with B.C. Safety through the year. They were always anxious for us to improve the display to reduce any possibilities of shock or injury from the display by improving the plug-ins and that sort of thing," said Bracken.

"We sort of assumed we would do what we could and get another variance permit this year. It didn't turn out that way."

The club learned of the decision on Friday.

Now, the club is scrambling for a location off city property.

It's hoping someone with a large enough property will come forward and allow the club to set up there.

Organizers are looking for an area about 90 feet by 90 feet, but say they will work with something smaller.

"If we could find a private site where it may not be necessarily affected by B.C. Safety and we could install our display as usual ... then we may consider setting up somewhere else," said Bracken.

He feels the display is safe.

Road access is imperative to allow for public viewing, and access to power would be beneficial. The club will utilize generators if necessary. The Rotary Club will assume all costs and will staff the display.

One alternative is to partner with Brad Pattison, who will be setting up the Lights of Christmas Paws light display at Waterfront Park. Pattison is meeting with the club on Thursday.

In the meantime, if you have a piece of property suitable for the display, contact Bracken at 250-869-5432.

The elaborate display was donated to the club by West Kelowna resident Jerry Budnick.