CARSTAIRS - Although the process took a little longer than she had originally hoped, Carstairs-area youngster Claire Pedersen can now open her lemonade stand for business.
The end-goal of the venture is to raise money for skiing, she said.
In May Claire's mother Laural sent a letter to town council about the proposed stand, handmade by Claire's father Kyle.
At the May 28 meeting, council asked administration for more information. The Pedersens were told that they needed approval by Alberta Health Services before they could proceed.
CAO Carl McDonnell said council was glad to see the family was able to receive certification from Alberta Health Services for the stand.
"In her letter, she said they would be willing to get a business licence and do certain things," said McDonnell. "We have to respond back saying, based on your letter your request has been approved based on what she put down as requirements. There would be a designated area either in the parking lot at Memorial Park or the parking lot at Tiny LaFleur Park. So they wouldn't be able to drive or park on any green space."
McDonnell said their business licence will be approved.
"The conversation that Shannon (Councillor Wilcox) had with them was that we'd want to make sure Alberta Health was OK with it being that it is a little vending area," he said. "They've come back and said that Alberta Health has given them their approval based on their conditions. Are they permitted to go now? We are saying they are permitted to go, but it will be in a designated area in the parking lot and you would have to get a licence as per the request."
McDonnell said the town couldn't issue a business licence to a food vendor without Alberta Health Services saying it is OK.
The family was very happy to hear the news that the lemonade stand was given the go-ahead by council.
"That's great," Claire told the Gazette. "I wanted to raise some money so I could get a ski suit for my ski racing."
The Hugh Sutherland School student thought of the idea of the lemonade stand herself. The family lives just south of Carstairs.
"I thought of it when we were picking up trash and saw lots of pop cans," she said.
Claire's father Kyle Pedersen said that she wanted to set the lemonade stand on the highway outside their house but it was too dangerous with vehicles going by at 100 km/h.
"It's good to know that we can take her into town, providing we get final approval," said Kyle. "We can set it up and it's her deal. Yes, I built it, but it was based on a picture she drew for me. I'll be proud of her. I think it's great that a kid at 10 years old wants to get up off the couch instead of playing a video game. It's definitely not a business for us.
"It's her deal. It's up to her when she wants to go out and doesn't want to go out. If she doesn't want to go out for a week that's up to her."
Kyle said he's glad the lemonade stand has been approved and that the family has learned a great deal through the process.
"It's a really good thing for her," he said. "It'll teach her some life lessons and she'll gain some experience. You know you have to do things the right way. We did everything council asked of us and now hopefully that pays off for her. I'm excited now that she'll be able to do it on her own as much as she can."
The family received their letter of approval from the town on June 13 and have since picked up a business licence.
