Langley Christmas lights display to go ahead after council approves funding

Organizers of a popular Langley, B.C., drive-thru holiday lights display say the event will go on as planned this year — but concerns remain about future events.

The update comes after Township of Langley city council voted Monday to approve funding for city workers to help with the setup and takedown for Christmas in Williams Park.

City staff have been deployed to help with the work for the last five years.

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But earlier this month, organizers said the municipality’s parks manager told them in September that city staff would not be participating, putting the event in jeopardy.

Organizers had warned without the help of city staff they wouldn’t be able to secure enough volunteers to do the work in time.

While council voted to offer city support for the 2023 event, its future remains in question with no council commitment for events in the coming years.

Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward told Global News last week that assigning staff to the work costs the municipality about $55,000 per year, one of the largest grants in its budget.

Woodward said the funds were a sum large enough that it should require council sign-off.

Global News is seeking comment from the township on the update.