St. Andrews consults on Atlanticade's future

St. Andrews is planning to gauge public opinion to see if local residents are as revved up as the town is over hosting the province's largest motorcycle event.

Atlanticade has fans in the businesses and tourism industry in the seaside resort town because of the large number of people the event draws to the community.

But some residents have raised complaints about the noise generated by the thousands of motorcycles. 

The seaside town is asking citizens about their continued interest in hosting Atlanticade again next summer.

St. Andrews Mayor John Craig is behind the event and is one of the people pushing to have it return for a third year.

The mayor said putting up with the sounds of thousands of bikers is a small price to pay for the benefits the event brings to the area.

"Over four or five days if you can't put up with that, you know, that's too bad," Craig said.

"You should re-adjust your own schedule because it is great for the town, it did a lot for our town and hopefully it will do a lot for our town in the years to come."

Town council is encouraging feedback from residents about the event as they enter discussions on next year's budget.

They hope to allocate funds for the festival for the first time next year in hopes of enticing it to stay in their town.

He said the economic benefit that Atlanticade brings is something that will help the town year round.

"What you are doing over four or five days is selling your town to these people so that they say yes we like it here in your town. We didn't have enough time to do everything we wanted to do so we are going to come back on our own vacation, summer and enjoy your town more," Craig said.

Atlanticade started in Moncton, but it was feared the annual festival was taking a backseat to other events, such as concerts.

It moved to St. Andrews in 2010 and the city estimated it would see $3 million spent in the town in its first year.