ORO-MEDONTE — The OPP and the City of Orillia are confident they can handle any rolling stone that may come tumbling their way this weekend.
“We have a great infrastructure in place as far as people and technology to deal with any emergency, should it arise,” said Mayor Steve Clarke when asked about plans to handle an influx of up to 70,000 people for Saturday's Rolling Stones concert in Oro-Medonte, in between Barrie and Orillia.
“If there is an issue, I'm sure ourselves and our partners (emergency services and surrounding municipalities) and the Burl's Creek people will be able to handle it.”
He said based on the way the Burl's Creek management has handled previous concerts, they’re equipped to take on the tens of thousands that are expected to converge on Oro-Medonte this weekend.
“We’re hoping that it's just a wonderful weekend and nothing but a reason to celebrate,” said Clarke.
Staff Sergeant Rob Baskey said the OPP have worked with Burl’s Creek before for other concerts and there are strategies in place to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow on Highway 11 and other key area roads.
“I can't share specifics; all I can say is that our main task is traffic control and the security and safety of people who are going to attend the concert,” he said.
Even though he couldn’t give an exact number of officers that might be involved in this weekend’s event, he said every detail has been meticulously laid out by a very experienced police officer, Sergeant Joe Pileggi.
“The traffic plan is about getting people in and back out in an efficient manner which is difficult when thousands come out,” said Baskey. “We'll have the usual shifts in place to look after any alcohol or traffic-related issues.”
The OPP is responsible for public safety and works in conjunction with Burl’s Creek event management security.
The mayor said the concert is important to the region's economy.
“Anytime you're bringing tens of thousands of people to an area that really only is tens of thousands of people, it can't help but be an economic shot in the arm for Orillia, Barrie and surrounding municipalities,” he said.
“I would anticipate it would be very hard to get a hotel in this area this weekend.”
