Only two days before Victoria’s BC new arena is set to host rocker Rod Stewart on 26th March, the building does not have the required city occupancy permit.
The city’s building department is waiting for consultants working for developer RG Properties to sign off on documents stating the arena meets building code specifications. Following that, a final city inspection would go ahead.
Ron North, acting chief building inspector for the city, said Wednesday that it could be done today. But inspectors do not normally work Good Friday and he believes the inspection would have to be done in an empty building without the band setting up.
The building department is treating this project the same as any other despite the city and RG Properties being partners in the project, he said.
“Right now it is wait and see, the ball is in their court,” North said. “They are thinking (today for the inspection). For inspection purposes … it is just another building.”
Any project runs the risk of failing to get an occupancy permit when inspections are left to the last minute before the public is due to use the building, he said.
He was unable to say what would happen if a permit is not issued by Saturday evening’s sold-out concert. He did say that, usually, public events don’t go ahead under such circumstances.
Liability could be a key issue should an event be held without a building getting proper permits before opening.
Dave Dakers, RG Properties executive director of facilities, said there will be no concert if there is no permit. But the developer added that he is “comfortable” an occupancy permit will be issued and Rod Stewart will be on stage as scheduled.
City inspectors have been on site for several days working with the developer, so much of their inspection work will be done before they give it final scrutiny, he said.
Hypothetically, any show or event could be postponed or cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the ferries not operating, Dakers said. But if that was to occur for any event at the new Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena, the public would be notified well in advance through local media.
Trucks carrying the Stewart equipment are to arrive Friday morning he said with plans to turn the building over to the band later in the day, he said.