Council mulls booze moves

The city is tinkering further with their alcohol policy after the trial program at CN Centre proved fruitful.

The pilot project - which was approved in January 2012 and ran through 2013 - allowed for the serving of alcohol at the arena's general seating area for ticketed events. Alcohol service was introduced during Cougars games last season.

According to report to council from community services director Colleen Van Mook, alcohol related issued dropped from a high of three per game, to zero during the pilot. Alcohol-related incidents also did not increase during concerts and other events.

During the duration of the trial, the city received a grant from BC Healthy Communities to complete a review of the council procedure on municipal alcohol service, which covers the management of alcohol use on city property.

"The pilot project for CN Centre was successful and further informed the minor revisions to the council procedure," Van Mook wrote. Among those revisions is the addition of Kin 1 as a licensed facility.

In addition to reducing problems, expanded alcohol service also increased the city's ability to make more money. According to the report, the pilot project increased the annual revenue from alcohol sales by 100 per cent during Cougars games, concerts and events.

"By permanently licensing Kin 1 the city has the opportunity to generate revenue that has not existed in the past," Van Mook wrote.

During Monday night's council meeting, council approved the draft policy which will go forward to public consultation.