The Town of Ponoka has renewed its Temporary Seasonal Patio Program for 2022 to assist local businesses in setting up outdoor patios.
The program was developed in 2021 to allow restaurants to serve customers on outdoor patios during
COVID-19 restrictions that prohibited indoor dining.
“The Temporary Seasonal Patio Program is being brought back this year as a pilot program to assess the feasibility and the local business community’s desire for a more permanent seasonal patio program in the future,” stated the release.
A number of local businesses opened up their patios, or expanded or built new ones last spring after the provincial government announced outdoor dining would be permitted under COVID-19 restrictions.
READ MORE: Ponoka businesses gearing up for patio season
“With the positive feedback that we received last summer and public interest in continuing the program
this year, the town has renewed the program for another year,” said Sandra Lund, chief administrative
officer.
Under the program, businesses that wish to set up a temporary seasonal patio on private or public
property, such as a sidewalk, can apply to the Town’s Development Services Department by phoning
403-783-4431.
Development Services staff will work closely with each business to guide them through the application
and approval process as quickly as possible, said the town.
Applications for the Temporary Seasonal Patio Program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure public safety and other key factors are taken into consideration when issuing approvals.
Applicants will be asked to provide details about the proposed patio.
The pilot program will run until October 31, 2022 for patios located on public property to allow snow
clearing operations to resume for the winter season.
Other businesses are opting for a permanent patio. The such as the Hitchin’ Post Bar and Grill is currently constructing a large outdoor patio.