CORNER BROOK — The move to the city hall parking lot for the East Meets West Expo will be a one-time experiment, according to Corner Brook's chief administrative officer.
It was an experiment which failed in some ways, admits Mike Dolter.
"I don't think it was a mistake," said Dolter Monday.
"I think it was something we did to address some issues that were brought forward to us. In fact, when we did it, I knew it probably wouldn't be as good as out on the road."
The issues previously identified by deputy mayor Donna Luther were that some businesses were not happy with the set up — that it placed the backs of tents to the exterior of some businesses and the street closure made it difficult to access some places. On Monday Dolter said it was also to accommodate the road race.
"This year we did what we thought was best," he said.
"There's people saying it wasn't as good, and I'm not disagreeing it wasn't as good. In fact, I would definitely agree, being on the street is better."
He said the expo's activities will return to West Street next year unless there is some extraordinary, unforseen circumstances. The city will meet with the business community, and encourage the public to submit comments and feedback, over the next several weeks.
The committee has to look at why there was a decrease in vendors this year, according to Dolter, and attempt to bring in a wider variety and total.
He also said there were some gaps in music and entertainment throughout the multi-day event, that need to be rectified next year.
The laser show was cancelled because of its high cost, but Dolter said it left a hole in the expo.
"The laser show used to close the evening off with a bang, so we are going to have to look at that," he said.
"What big thing can we bring in, that is affordable but still has a big punch to it. That is what our challenge will be."
It wasn't all negative, according to Dolter. The weather was great and the crowds were good. He said the buskers were again a big attraction.
"Given we made a change with fairly short notice, and moved off the road, I think things went fairly well," he said. "That's not saying there's things we have to make changes for next year, and make some improvements.
"I think that's what the event is about making changes every year."
Dolter said people from the community will be encouraged to sit on the committee for the event, and help with the planning.
I was not pleased what so ever with this years east meets west expo. I didn't find there was enough entertainment, and not many businesses was attending the expo like last year. The biggest thing is the light show. Last year my family and I went almost every night we spent a numerous amount of money and the light show was amazing every time we seen it. It might cost money but keeping the citizens comming back would be an asset. The city of Corner brook is a failure, they need to smarted up, shape up or ship out. When it comes to events the City fails at mostly everything. There wasn't enough buskers like last year, and there was not as much entertainment for the citizens of Corner Brook. We only get a few events per year, why not make them worth while so that people are talking about them for months to come. Bring more attractions here, spend the money, don't be scared, who knows if you shape up and bring other businesses here maybe Corner Brook will grow and peole will move here instead of leaving the city to go to some other city like St.johns or the main land to live. Bring options here like Costco, burger king, swiss chalet, more choices. You want the city to grow an dlook like the mainland so your cutting down all the trees but you don't want to put any more attractions here like the ones mentioned. And stop cutting down all the trees. The wildlife needs places to live to, not just humans.