Weekend visitors planning to relax in the summer sun on the beach at Esquimalt Lagoon should pack a picnic or run the risk of going hungry – the City of Colwood has called last orders for food trucks at the local hot spot.
The decision marks another step forward in the city’s efforts to shift commercial activity and large events away from the lagoon beach to other city parks and public spaces.
This year, food trucks will only be invited to set up at the lagoon on one occasion in August for a Music in the Park event. However, vendors will still have ample opportunities to participate at events in other areas of the city.
First launched in 2016, the beach food program was designed to establish Colwood as a seaside city within the region and attract visitors to the area.
But as the number of visitors to the beach has “increased exponentially,” concerns have been raised about “the impact of human activity on the sensitive environment of the Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary,” says a staff report.
The financial impact on local “bricks and mortar” food establishments has also been flagged as a reason for shifting the focus away from the lagoon to other public spaces adjacent to commercial areas, encouraging folks to support local Colwood retailers.
Some changes have already taken place.
Originally held at the lagoon, Colwood's food truck and music festival, Eats and Beats, was moved to the Beachlands in 2023.
Last year, city staff reduced the number of food trucks permitted to operate at the beach. According to communications manager Sandra Russell, two or three vendors were in operation on weekends.
But not all councillors are happy about the move to restrict food trucks at the lagoon.
“I question why we would be making such a draconian move to kind of be the fun police of Colwood here,” said Coun. Ian Ward at the June 9 council meeting.
Ward says there is a lack of evidence to support the change, claiming councillors are basing their decision on feelings instead of facts.
The decision also puzzled Coun. Misty Olsen, who felt "one food truck a week" at the lagoon was not a threat to local businesses. She also questioned why the focus was on the environmental impact of the vendors, and not "all the cars that are parked there currently."
Sharing their personal experiences, former business owners Mayor Doug Kobayashi and Coun. David Grove spoke about how food trucks at the lagoon had a negative impact on their eateries.
Kobayashi said trade dropped by 50 per cent at his sandwich shop at Colwood Corners, while Grove said his bakery saw roughly a 40 per cent drop.
“Informed feelings are powerful,” said Grove, disagreeing with Ward’s suggestion that emotions should not come into play during the discussion.
In support of the lagoon restrictions, Kobayashi said he wanted to show respect for local businesses.
“You don’t want to tank them, some of them are struggling right now,” he said.
According to staff, a state of biodiversity study will be presented to the city in the fall, detailing the impact of human activity on Esquimalt Lagoon.
It's something Ward felt the city should wait for before making a decision.
He also suggested the city carry out a survey of local businesses and the community to gather “real data versus personal bias and anecdotal evidence.” But his idea did not receive the support needed to move forward.
Instead, the majority of councillors voted in favour of the motion, with Ward and Olsen opposed.
“If someone forgets their picnic, if somebody suddenly needs a hot dog mid-afternoon on the beach, Skip the Dishes will find you,” said Grove.
