Fire Pit Debate

The debate over fire pits on Penticton's beaches has been rekindled.

Council has decided to refer the matter to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for further review.

The City's Emergency/Protective Services Advisory Committee wants to remove the fire pits, calling them a safety hazard.

Councilor Joanne Grimaldi says she has been against the fire pits for years.

“I would like to see them removed for a number of reasons. Always over the summer time there has been some sort of rowdy party that the police have to break up, when they run out of firewood, they break up people's fences, they throw embers from the fire onto the beach, making it dirty,” says Grimaldi.

She says the smoke from the fire pits are a danger for people with breathing problems.

“While it might be fun to sit around the camp fire, sing songs and roast your marshmallows, I think that you can also do that with a portable BBQ, no mess, no fuss,” says Grimaldi.

Councilor John Vassilaki doesn't agree with Grimaldi, saying that most people enjoy the fire pits without causing problems for others.

There will be further debate on this subject once it comes back from review by the Parks and Recreation Committee.