'A major disappointment': Spruce Grove charity haunted house shuttered after complaints
A family running a haunted house in Spruce Grove that supports the local food bank has been shut down after multiple complaints.
The Allens have hosted Spruce Grove Ridge Scare for five years and say they never received complaints about their haunted house until now.
“All we’re trying to do is help the foodbank,” Lindsay Allen told CTV News Edmonton.
“We never thought we were causing a nuisance,” Emily Allen added.
First, the spooky attraction received a noise complaint, but Emily said they quickly showed the city they adhered to noise bylaws by not operating beyond 10 p.m.
Then the haunted house received another complaint about the safety of its structure.
Emily said inspectors came and walked through the Halloween event and cleared it. Then they suddenly received notice from the city that it was to be shut down.
“They just said it’s a no-go, you can’t let people through,” Emily said. “They said if we do, they (the city) threatened us with a $100,000 fine.
“We are trying to find out what codes we have to meet.”
Last year’s haunted house event collected 1,800 pounds of food and raised $800 in donations for the food bank.
The Allens hope to have clarity from the city about what they need to do in order to be able to re-open safely in time for Halloween.
“We are just trying to do our best for the community in a fun way,” Lindsay said. “It’s a major disappointment.”
CITY WORKING WITH ALLENS
Carol Bergum, City of Spruce Grove director of planning and development, told CTV News that they are working with the Allens to ensure the haunted attraction is safe and open for Halloween.
Bergum confirmed there were complaints against the haunted house, including questions around whether it had a business license and over the safety of some of the structures in the backyard.
The complaints about needing a business license were dismissed, Bergum said, but inspectors are working with the family to ensure safety concerns are addressed.
Bergum added that the city focuses on education before levying any fines.
Supplied
During an interview with Edmonton rock station 100.3 The Bear, Emily said “they’re only trying to do a good thing here and help out,” by bringing the community together to support the Parkland Food Bank.
During that chat, the hosts surprised Emily with a $1,000 donation from the Bear’s Children’s Fund to recoup some of the donations lost while the haunted house is shut down.
“That’s going to help so many families, truly. That’s amazing,” Emily said.
As of right now Emily explained there’s no set date for when the attraction will reopen to the public.
“Hopefully you will hear good news soon.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.