B.C.'s live events industry optimistic capacity limit will be lifted Tuesday

Indoor seated venues have been allowed to remain open during the Omicron wave in British Columbia – but for nearly two months, they’ve had to maintain a 50 per cent capacity limit, and that’s been devastating for their bottom line.

Indoor seated venues have been allowed to remain open during the Omicron wave in British Columbia – but since Dec. 21, they’ve had to maintain a 50 per cent capacity limit, and that’s been devastating for their bottom line.

“For us, it limits the revenue we can produce and the number of tickets we can sell for certain movies, and it was particularly harmful over the Christmas period,” said Bill Walker, CEO of Landmark Cinemas.

The Arts Club Theatre has also taken a large financial hit.

“Our finances are based on the capacity to sell up to 100 per cent, so it is a real strain on us to have the reduction,” said associate artistic director Rachel Peake.

Some concerts and festivals that were scheduled for early in 2022 have been postponed because of the capacity restriction.

“The 50 per cent model does not work financially, and we have seen that. Everything that was in the books was cancelled and cancelled and cancelled. So certainly tomorrow we are really hoping we will get the full capacity for indoor seated venues back,” said Paul Runnals with Brand Live Management.

With other provinces now starting to lift capacity restrictions, the live event industry is optimistic provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will announce an end to the measure in B.C during a press conference Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.