A popular outdoor dining experience is getting an extension.
At the Stratford city council meeting on Monday night, council approved an extension for the Al Fresco program.
Started as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to support outdoor dining for residents and visitors alike, it allowed participating restaurants to include liquor with take-out food orders to be enjoyed at Al Fresco locations in Market Square, Memorial Gardens, and Tom Patterson Island.
In 2021, a report on the program noted that it was hugely successful. Over $750,000 was spent across different tourism and social sectors.
This year, the program ran in the summer and fall, finishing at the end of October.
The request to extend the program came from Destination Stratford to coincide with the 2023/2024 Lights On Stratford - Winter Festival of Lights.
Staff originally recommended excluding Tom Patterson Island from the extended Al Fresco pilot, due to there being a limited number of people allowed on the island at one time. Destination Stratford advised the inclusion of the island is important for the project to be successful, and to keep it consistent with the regular program.
The City of Stratford’s insurer reviewed the request and had no concerns from an insurance perspective.
The updated Al Fresco pilot program runs Thursday to Sunday between Dec. 15 and Jan. 13, the same as Lights On, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., at all Al Fresco locations.
A report on the pilot program will be developed after Lights On concludes and will be presented to council.
