Parksville is hoping for a good turn out at its next city council meeting when it moves to the McMillan Arts Centre to take a less formal, more town-hall-style approach.
As part of its ongoing effort to reach out to the community, council has held a number of meetings in different community locations over the last few years, when it tries try to have items on the agenda of wider public interest.
This Monday, Oct. 21 starting at 7 p.m., an hour later than usual, the agenda includes the possibility of narrowing Highway 19A through downtown and canvassing the provincial government for a casino.
Mayor Chris Burger recently floated the casino idea as a way for the city to make money, along with the possibility of growing medical marijuana, which will not be on the agenda as it is first going through council's citizen advisory committee.
"The response has been very quiet, I haven't got a single angry e-mail," Burger said a week after The NEWS published his comments. "I've talked to some people who are clearly uncomfortable with the idea of the casino," he said, but added everyone has a different idea of what a casino may be.
Burger said that while marijuana isn't on the agenda, the open format will allow discussion if people raise the issue.
The meeting is at the McMillan Arts Centre, 133 McMillan Street.