The Treasure Cove Casino is seeking to expand its liquor licence to allow it to serve almost 50 per cent more patrons at a time.
The casino is seeking approval from the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to allow liquor service in its bingo area and upper mezzanine. The change would increase the occupancy load for the casino’s liquor service areas from 2,016 patrons to 3,004 patrons. Currently the casino serves liquor on the casino floor, show lounge and café area.
In addition, the Treasure Cove is looking to expand its hours of service from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Currently, the casino’s liquor licence requires it to stop service at 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at midnight on other nights.
City council is expected to debate whether to support the application on Monday night.
“The nearest liquor primary establishment is the Prince George Playhouse, which is located west of the subject property and fronts Highway 16,” Deanna Wasnik, city director of planning and development, wrote in a report going before council on Monday. “Further to this, the existing Treasure Cove Casino has a buffer strip of 33.0 m along the south property line that provides screening and noise reduction to the nearest residential properties. Therefore, Administration does not anticipate significant impacts from an expanded licensed area within the existing building.”
In July 2012 city council supported the casino’s request to include the casino gaming area in the Treasure Cove’s liquor licence, and in February 2020 council supported expanding liquor service to the show lounge, Wasnik added.
Richard Duval, director of the Van Bien Community Association, wrote a letter of support for the application dated April 4. Duval said he’s living in the area since 1984, and his property backs directly onto the casino site.
“We lend our support to the applications for changes to the liquor-serving regulations within he Treasure Cove Casino,” Duval wrote. “Firstly, because we can anticipate no negative effects on our community as a result of these changes. Secondly, if I may offer a person view; business in general, but especially those whose viability depends on public traffic, have endured tremendous hardships during this pandemic and should be afforded as much latitude as possible in responding to the economic realities imposed by the pandemic of the last two years.”
Duval said Treasure Cover owner John Major met with him and Van Bien Community Association president Randy Potskin to discuss the proposed changes, and that the consultation was appreciated.
FOUR LIQUOR ISSUES ON COUNCIL AGENDA
Council will also weigh in on a trio of other liquor-related items on Monday night.
Council will hold a public hearing on a rezoning to allow an existing liquor store to move from the Hart to a location on Queensway. More than 45 residents of the Millar Addition area wrote the city in opposition to the move.
In addition, the Alder Hills Golf Course is looking to expand its licence to allow liquor service to patrons on its newly-constructed driving range. The move would increase its occupancy load for liquor service from 60 to 160 patrons.
Finally, Nancy O’s restaurant is applying to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to expand its liquor licence to include seating for 59 patrons on its seasonal patio area, which fills four parking stalls on Third Avenue in front of the restaurant. The change would increase the restaurant’s ability to service liquor from 128 patrons to 160 patrons, by removing some inside seating.
In a letter to city council, Nancy O’s co-owner Eoin Foley said the difference in red tape between this year and last year to open the patio is substantial.
“Last year, when this became an option, we were told the red tape would be gone. It was. We decided that Friday to build a patio, by the following Friday we designed and built all of the furniture and structure and opened it,” Foley wrote.
This year the process started in September, and will cost the business more than $6,500 by the time it gets built, including an engineering design and $4,200 in rent to the city for the use of the four parking stalls on the street, he wrote.
“Last year, was a text book example of how when the red tape and fees are cut, businesses will get things done,” Foley wrote. “Now to do the exact same thing we must pay a bunch of extra money and jump through a bunch of hoops. Please do not just stop at cutting the red tape when it comes to patios. These patios are not just a great asset to the businesses they belong to, but they are community assets. They build social connection, create a more desirable city to live in and visit and they make the streets they are on safer for all. Please do not discourage more of them from being created.”
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch makes all final decisions regarding changes to liquor licenses, but city council can decide to support or oppose the proposed changes.
