City council will be taking another look at allowing alcohol in the stands during Cougars hockey games and other events at CN Centre.
Currently alcohol can be purchased and consumed in the suites and Ice Lounge at CN Centre. In addition, during some events, a beer garden is set up in the concourse of the arena.
On Monday city council approved a plan to get the public's thoughts on expanded alcohol service at CN Centre.
"We're going to find out what the mood is in the community," CN Centre manager Andy Beesley said. "It's been many, many years since we've asked the community about it."
The city will be seeking public input through an online survey, public meeting, Facebook, Twitter and written submissions, Beesley said. Details on when and how residents can take part will be released in the near future.
Commissions from alcohol sales could mean an additional $42,000 per year in revenue for the city from Cougars games, concerts and other events, Beesley said. The Cougars' portion of the commission was estimated at $3,200 per year.
"We currently are the only WHL facility that doesn't have alcohol service in the general seating," Beesley said. "Alcohol revenue can be significant."
CN Centre's alcohol revenue is 135 per cent lower per capita than WHL arenas which allow alcohol in the stands, Beesley said.
If the city does approve alcohol consumption in the general seating, CN Centre would adopt security and crowd management best practices from other arenas, he added.
"Alcohol sales across the board have gone down at WHL games. People don't seem to going out to hockey games to drink," Beesley said.
In May, 2009 city council rejected a one-year pilot project which would have allowed alcohol consumption in the stands at CN Centre.
In 2009 councillors Garth Frizzell, Brian Skakun, Don Bassermann, Cameron Stolz and Murry Krause opposed the increased liquor sales. Mayor Dan Rogers and councillors Dave Wilbur, Debora Munoz and Shari Green voted in favour of it.
"I have not supported increased alcohol sales in the past, but I want to make sure I'm in step with the community," Krause said.
It's an issue which does get people on both sides of the fence upset, Krause said.
Prince George Cougars vice-president Brandi Brodsky said liquor service in the stands wouldn't make a significant difference financially to the club, but would provide an additional service to fans who attend the games.
"I certainly get more comments about it... on why people who can't afford a suite aren't allowed to drink," Brodsky said. "We're the only team out of the 55 [Canadian Hockey League] teams that don't allow alcohol in the stands. Is this city ready for alcohol in the stands? Fifty-five other CHL cities are, but that decision is up to council."
Dry sections would available for families who don't want to sit near others consuming alcohol - an amenity not offered at the many family restaurants which serve alcohol, she said.
"Certainly people have said to me they would be more likely to come if they could have a few drinks during a night out [at the game]... how that plays out in the real world, I don't know."
