UBC alcohol licence debated

by Carlito Pablo on July 22nd, 2009 at 3:15 PM

While the University Neighbourhoods Association has offered “cautious support”, the RCMP is opposing UBC’s application to allow alcoholic drinks in most spectator areas of the Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre.

If approved by the B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, the plan will permit up to 7,681 patrons to enjoy alcoholic beverages in the seating and concourse areas of Thunderbird’s Arena A, and another 1,191 people to do so in Arena B. UBC’s application also includes an outdoor patio.

Right now, the university has a liquor licence for a bar at the centre, which has a capacity of 385 people. However, spectators can’t take drinks to their seats in the arenas.

As the provincial agency in charge of liquor licensing, the LCLB had asked Metro Vancouver to issue a resolution regarding UBC’s application. The university is located in the regional district’s Electoral Area A.

In a June 23 letter to Metro Vancouver regional development division manager Christina DeMarco, the commander of the RCMP’s university detachment stated that the unit does not support the plan.

Staff Sgt. Kevin Kenna pointed out that the expansion of the licensed area, as well as the extension of liquor-service hours and the addition of a patio, “will only tend to further erode the quality of life for persons residing in the area by increasing the social disorder, especially late at night”. He also said that the centre has a poor record when it comes to controlling illegal alcohol and drug use during events such as concerts.

In response to the RCMP officer’s comments, UBC vice president for students Brian Sullivan pointed out in a July 2 letter to DeMarco that the university has an “established record of success in managing licensed events”.

For its part, the University Neighbourhoods Association, which represents five neighbourhoods at UBC, told Metro Vancouver’s Electoral Area A planner David Boote that although the group does not oppose an expansion of the liquor licence, it is uneasy about the idea of allowing drinks in the “greater majority” of the arena’s seating areas.

In a June 2 e-mail to Boote, association executive director Jan Fialkowski stated that this “may cause concern for families with young children, individuals from our multi-faith community and individuals who for whatever reason may wish to enjoy the athletic or cultural events held at the arenas without being surrounded by patrons who are consuming beverage alcohol, responsibly or not”.

Boote has recommended that Metro Vancouver endorse the probationary approval of UBC’s application, to last until the RCMP is satisfied that the venue is managed properly.

In a report to be considered at a meeting on Friday (July 24) by the regional body’s electoral area committee, Boote also suggested that the alcohol-free zones in the two arenas be expanded from UBC’s original proposal of 150 seats to about 300 seats.

As well, he recommended service hours for arenas A and B of 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday, and for the patio, hours of 9 a.m. to no later than 10 p.m. daily.

“Should the application be approved, it is anticipated that the marketability of the Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre in the variety and number of events will increase,” Boote stated.