Liquor service will be coming to the stands of CN Centre for Cougars hockey games and concerts.
On Monday city council approved a one year pilot project to allow alcohol service in the general stands. The pilot project will run until the end of the 2012-13 Cougars season.
The pilot project comes as a request of the Prince George Cougars management, city arenas manager Andy Beesley said. The project is anticipated to generate $40,000 in additional revenue for the city.
A public consultation process showed general support for the move, Beesley said.
"In general 73 per cent were in favour - from very strongly in favour to not opposed," he said.
Beesley said additional security measures will be put in place, including an anonymous, "jerk alert," system.
Currently alcohol is served in the private suites and beer gardens at the arena, but is not allowed in general seating areas.
Alcohol free zones would be provided at hockey games and concerns, he added.
The Prince George Cougars are the only Canadian Hockey League team with a venue where alcohol is not available in the seats, Coun. Dave Wilbur said.
"When the Cougars asked to be treated like any other CHL team, it's hard to say no," Wilbur said. "Drinking occurs within the forum of junior hockey. We already have a policy to allow drinking in all sorts of facilities."
Coun. Garth Frizzell and Cameron Stolz raised concerns about allowing additional drinking opportunities.
"We shouldn't enable impairment right before people get into their vehicles," Frizzell said. "We shouldn't be normalizing drinking."
The additional revenue is minimal, he added.
"I find this proposal challenging. I've voted considerably against expanding alcohol service at CN Centre," Stolz said.
