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Canadiens look to serve alcohol at Jr. B games

Adult spectators at St. Paul Jr. B Canadiens hockey game may soon have the option to sip on a cold beer while watching the local squad.

Adult spectators at St. Paul Jr. B Canadiens hockey game may soon have the option to sip on a cold beer while watching the local squad. The club is working toward taking the needed steps in order to sell alcohol at hockey games, in the Clancy Richard Arena.

According to an email attached to the Town of St. Paul’s Nov. 28 agenda package from the Junior B organization, the club has been looking at obtaining the proper licensing to serve alcohol at its games for a couple of years, and is now asking the town to license the facility.

The email noted that Alberta Gaming and Liquor told her the facility itself required a license, rather than the club. Under the regulations, Jr. B hockey games aren’t considered a special event, since events must be at least three days in length, it noted.

Other Junior A and B hockey teams, for example in Bonnyville, Killam, Cold Lake and Lloydminster, serve alcohol at their games, according to the email.

Town administration sought information from a couple of the communities that serve alcohol at hockey games, noting that in Bonnyville it’s the concession that holds the license at the C2 Centre, and in Viking it’s the hockey organization that holds the license, along with extra insurance and having five members of the club with ProServe Liquor Staff Training. The municipality in Viking also holds additional insurance.

Town of St. Paul administration was advised to look at its bylaws, to see if there is anything that goes against the municipality moving ahead on the topic. CAO Holly Habiak said that after looking extensively, staff could not find anything in the town’s current bylaws contradicting the issue.

To move ahead, an agreement would have to be signed by both parties. But it was noted from the advice received by the town that the team should be the one applying for the license, and supplying members with ProServe training.

Later this hockey season, in 2017, the St. Paul Jr. B Canadiens will be hosting Jr. B provincials, and the club is hoping to have a license in place for the event. The hockey club is hopeful that serving alcohol at all regular games would result in increased revenue for the team.

According to the email, it was noted that Cold Lake Jr. B brings in about $1,000 in profits per game.

The email also noted the club is hopeful the process to obtain a license can begin soon, since the Junior B home games are attracting now between 200 and 400 spectators, each time.

“This would be a great way to generate funds for us,” said the email.

The Jr. B club includes players between the ages of 16 and 21.

Mayor Glenn Andersen asked council for their thoughts on the issue. Coun Ken Kwiatkowski said he was in support of the Junior B team getting a license. Coun. Dwight Wiebe and Coun. Norm Noel both expressed concern, due to the fact that there are often many children in attendance at the games.

“I have mixed feelings on this one big time,” said Noel.

Coun. Judy Bogdan also expressed concern, saying some of the playing on the team aren’t even of legal drinking age.

Coun. Don Padlesky, who was clearly in support of the idea, said that in his experience attending games this season, he has noticed that some spectators are bringing alcohol into the arena, despite not being allowed to do so.

He also noted that other events at the arena, that often have children as spectators, also serve alcohol, such as the Lakeland Rodeo Association Finals.

Noel noted that maybe using the upcoming provincial tournament, as a test run would be a good idea, before agreeing to every game throughout the season.

Andersen said he felt that a lot of discussions had to take place before the town could make an informed decision. Council agreed to look further into the requirements and liability required for a seasonal liquor license for the Clancy Richard Arena.

The Town of St. Paul has licensed the Dec. 9 World Junior A pre-competition game, and has received a request from the Jr. B Canadiens, and St. Paul Minor Hockey, for the proceeds from liquor sales that night.

Andersen asked each councilor which group they would like to see get the funds, after mixed opinion on the topic surfaced.

Padleskey said he felt the two groups could split the profits and work together, which Gervais agreed with. Coun. Bogdan initially said she supported minor hockey getting the proceeds.

Noel, Wiebe, and Kwiatkowski said they supported the Junior B squad taking the funds for the night. Kwiatkowski added that it would be a good fundraiser for the club, since they are hosting provincials in a few months, and there are many costs associated with that.

Andersen noted that both organizations are very good groups, but he also felt the Junior B team should get the proceeds.

“It’s a team that has come a long way in a short time,” he said, adding, the town already supports minor hockey in other ways. Kwiatkowski made the motion to give the Junior B team the profits of the liquor sales on Dec. 9, while also requiring the club to do clean-up, ticket sales, and supply the bartenders, as per regulations.


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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