The 2008 debut of the Pemberton Festival in Pemberton, BC bordered on complete disaster. Despite an impressive line-up that included big names like Jay-Z, the Flaming Lips, Coldplay and Nine Inch Nails, the Live Nation event was bogged down by major problems with traffic and dust. As previously reported, the 2009 edition of the fest was subsequently cancelled, and now it looks as if it won't be back until 2011.
Consequence of Sound points to an article in the Whistler Question, where officials said a 2010 edition of Pemberton was unlikely, as they deal with outstanding issues regarding liquor sales, policing costs, conditions from CN Rail and concerns from businesses.
"I think things are still being planned to come back; it's just a question: 'Is it 2010 or 2011?'" said Paul Edgington, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District's chief administrative officer. "[Live Nation] would rather do it right than do it quickly, and they'd like to have all of the things that stand between them and profitability addressed in sufficient lead times that allow them to properly source and secure things like security and a host of other contracted services that they rely on."
Still, Pemberton Mayor Jordan Sturdy has not entirely ruled out the festival.
"I am eternally optimistic," Sturdy said. "I want to do all I can to ensure that this community is providing clarity and surety to Live Nation and encouraging them to come back."
As of yet, Live Nation has not commented on the status of the Pemberton Festival in 2010 or 2011.
Consequence of Sound points to an article in the Whistler Question, where officials said a 2010 edition of Pemberton was unlikely, as they deal with outstanding issues regarding liquor sales, policing costs, conditions from CN Rail and concerns from businesses.
"I think things are still being planned to come back; it's just a question: 'Is it 2010 or 2011?'" said Paul Edgington, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District's chief administrative officer. "[Live Nation] would rather do it right than do it quickly, and they'd like to have all of the things that stand between them and profitability addressed in sufficient lead times that allow them to properly source and secure things like security and a host of other contracted services that they rely on."
Still, Pemberton Mayor Jordan Sturdy has not entirely ruled out the festival.
"I am eternally optimistic," Sturdy said. "I want to do all I can to ensure that this community is providing clarity and surety to Live Nation and encouraging them to come back."
As of yet, Live Nation has not commented on the status of the Pemberton Festival in 2010 or 2011.
