BANFF – Oh Bento Pizza has lost its fight to have its lease extended to operate the concession at the Banff Fenlands recreation centre.
Following an in-camera meeting on July 10 that lasted for about 40 minutes, council took no further action on the formal written leasing option request, meaning the request was denied.
The owners of the family-run Oh Bento Pizza said the last few years have been very challenging, noting they were looking forward to an opportunity to run the business without some of the restrictions that made it so financially difficult.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform all of our loyal patrons and friends that our request for a lease extension was denied by the council,” said Asuka Usui in a Facebook post.
“We submitted a very competitive offer and were looking forward to continuing our support of the Banff community.”
Council went in camera under several clauses of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to discuss the issue. They included disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party, confidential evaluations, advice from officials and disclosure harmful to economic and other interests of a public body.
Mayor Corrie DiManno and councillors Grant Canning, Ted Christensen, Chip Olver, Barb Pelham, and Hugh Pettigrew were present. Town Manager Kelly Gibson and Corporate Services Director Chris Hughes, a municipal clerk and legislative advisor were also in the closed meeting.
Usui thanked everyone who supported the family’s petition efforts, assisted in preparing the written submission to council, and all those who have supported their food and services over the years.
“My family can never thank you enough for all of your love and support and it will never be forgotten,” she said.
The Town of Banff has repeatedly stated that Oh Bento is free to bid for a new lease. Oh Bento’s is up in September, which initiated a public tender process under rules outlined in the municipality’s property licensing and leasing policy.
With no takers when the bid documents initially went out in late February for a food and beverage concession at the rec centre, the deadline was extended twice.
The municipality issued a new request for proposal on July 5. The deadline for bids is Aug. 2.
The new lease moves to a fixed fee for rent of $2,600 a month plus an annual inflationary increase, instead of a flat fee plus commission structure.
In addition, the Town of Banff moved away from an exclusive service to a right-of-first refusal option.
