The Westerly Hotel is applying for a minor change to its liquor licence to keep its guests on the dance floor.The Best Western Plus Westerly Hotel and Conference Centre is applying for a permanent change to its liquor licence that would add patron participation in its banquet facilities under its food-primary liquor licence.”We have applied for a permanent change to our existing food-primary liquor licence, with reference specifically to the patron participation entertainment endorsement,” assistant general manager Aaron Greasley explained to council Monday. “The Westerly Hotel banquet facilities operate with multiple types of uses in this space, such as business meetings, seminars, luncheons, dinners and mixers where our existing food-primary licence covers it. The hotel has also had such events as weddings and birthday parties where dancing is a key component, and it is now not covered under our food-primary licence.”Noting that liquor control licence requirements have changed over the years, it’s now mandatory for us to apply to amend our liquor licence to continue to accommodate those activities for our guests in our facilities.”Council supported the application without much discussion.”This is a very minor housekeeping change,” said Coun. Larry Jangula. “The reasons are very logical.”Input on the proposed change is being requested, and council will consider the Westerly’s application March 21.”We feel these activities would in no way negatively impact our hotel guests or our neighbouring community, as the space is self-contained within the hotel,” noted Greasley.This process was used in a recent similar application by the Old House Restaurant.writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Comox Valley Record