No booze for Junior games at Paradise arena

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Paradise has denied a request from the Junior B Warriors hockey team for a recreational facility liquor licence to allow for the sale of Banished Brewery products at the Paradise Double Ice Complex during Saturday night Junior B games.

Recreation lead councillor Jennifer Hiscock explained that staff had reached out to the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation and learned that, should the Town apply for a licence, it would need to create a 19-plus ‘alcohol zone’ separate from younger attendees. The Town would also be responsible for the purchase and storage of alcohol, as well as checking ID’s and ensuring no overserving of patrons. The Town would also be responsible for ceasing sales at a certain point during the night.

The licence would also cost the Town $200 per year.

Hiscock noted the Town has no secure storage space for unused products, no dedicated consumption space, that staff are not trained in alcohol service, and that staff would need to be in place to ensure underage folks wouldn’t be able to purchase alcohol.

Staff consulted with the Town of Conception Bay South and learned that town does not permit alcohol sales at Junior B games, but does allow alcohol to be sold during senior hockey games, although the alcohol must be sold and consumed in the hospitality room. Team staff man the bar, while Town employees check ID’s. The Town charges a fee for the service, and the team covers the cost of additional staff.

Over at the Mount Pearl Glacier, a bar was set up in the hospitality room for the Junior B opening night, however sales were low and did not cover the additional cost of staffing, and bar services have not been offered since. Hockey dads tended bar while City staff checked ID’s.

Staff at Jack Byrne Arena in St. John’s also tired their hand at selling alcohol during last season’s junior games, however sales did not warrant keeping the bar in place.

“Unlike the other facilities, the Paradise Double Ice Complex is a recreational facility that has a community centre and fitness centre under the same roof,” said Hiscock. “Patrons can be in the facility for other reasons, not just to attend the Junior B game. So, the staff recommendation is not to proceed with the application for a recreational facility licence.”

Hiscock said she agreed with that assessment, adding the facility is viewed as family-friendly and inclusive.
“I’m just not sure if introducing alcohol sales would be the right thing for us at this time,” said Hiscock. “I’m not opposed to offering alcoholic beverages at other sporting events. Like if you go to the Mary Brown’s Centre, they have alcohol served there, but I don’t think this is the space for it.”

Councillor Tommy Maher also voiced his approval of staff’s recommendation.

“We’re not equipped to make sales of alcohol,” said Maher. “As stated in the memo, we don’t have the storage, or the manpower, it would take to do this. I personally don’t think it’s justifiable.”

Councillor Sheldon Antle asked how a recreation licence would differ from a special events licence. Hiscock explained a special event licence is a one-time licence offered to charities or not-for-profits for a particular event, and the applicant, not the Town, would be held responsible for the sale and handling of alcohol.
Mayor Patrick Martin noted that often the Kin Club will apply for a special event licence to serve alcohol at events it hosts, and while the event may take place in a Town facility, the actual sale of alcohol is the responsibility of the Kin Club.

Councillor Glen Carew said he would like to have supported the application, if not for the many moving parts and associated costs.

“Banished Brewery is a fantastic community partner and, again, I would like to support this on their behalf, and on the sporting group’s behalf, but it looks like our municipal neighbours have done some of the leg work and it appears that there’s no business case to support it and a ton of extra resource management that would have to come into play,” said Carew. “To your point, mayor, most times you would see Kins or Lions or whoever run these things at special events, but I don’t think there’s a case to support this one.”

Carew added alcohol service was available at the rink during the Canada Games for VIP attendees, but the service was handled by Canada Games volunteers.

Mayor Martin applauded staff for checking with other municipalities before making its recommendation to council.

“This clearly shows that it’s not working anywhere else, so I think it’s clear that it’s not a good decision right now,” said Martin.