Beer in the Seats at Hockey Games Up for Committee of the Whole Discussion
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 @ 4:09 AM
Prince George, B.C. – Members of Council for Prince George will be attending their first Committee of the Whole session today.
While they will be asked to look at several appointments to various committees and the Regional District, they will also be asked to examine the results of citizen engagement on enhanced alcohol sales at the CN Centre during Cougars games.
The report on enhanced alcohol sales says 522 surveys were returned and of that number, 89% said they attended Cougars games fairly regularly. 72% said they were not opposed to the concept of alcohol service in the general seating areas during Cougars Games.
The Committee of the Whole cannot make the decision on expanding alcohol sales during the games, that lies with City Council. The Committee can however, recommend that procedures to expand alcohol service at the CN Centre be put forth to Council for consideration.
Comments
I think that would be a great idea. Nothing wrong with making a few extra bucks (probably a lot of extra bucks). It`s too bad the world is full of up tight people that will oppose this. I know the drinking driving laws are an issue but if you choose to drink just don`t drive. How hard is that. They do have those yellow cars with the white signs on top, they are called TAXIS.
If they are going to allow the use of drugs in the stands at Cougars games I think the fans should also be permitted to watch the game naked!
Well I suppose you could drive to the Hockey game have a few beers, and then leave your car, and take a taxi. Then in the morning you could take a taxi to pick up your car.
We could determine the number of people
who drank to much by the number of cars in the parking lot in the mornings.
Then of course you could drink to you hearts content and have your wife attend the game (even if she doesnt like hockey) so that she could drive you home. Or you and your buddies could take turns being a disgnated driver. Seems like a lot of trouble to have a few drinks.
Considering that the average number of fans attending games these days is approx 1500, of which I suspect that most are seniors and kids, I dont how they could make a hell of a lot of money on beer sales. Maybe they think if they sold liquor more people would attend the games. I doubt that will happen.
The Committee of the Whole should be giving serious consideration as to just how long they think the City will continue to support this Cougar franchise when it costs us big dollars to have it around. If the franchise cannot support itself, through attendence, or throught the WHL, then it should move on. Taxpayers should not be supporting private business’s
There is a solid lack of interest in the Courgars in Prince George. Lets get realistic.
Come on Palopu give the Cougars some time. They haven’t finished building for the future yet. 10 years into the building process is only halfway to their deadline!
If you don’t think the beer sales at a Cougar game are significant, then you haven’t been in the Ice Lounge during a game.
Why don`t they just try it for a while and see how it goes. There is way too much speculation. After all it is just beer.
I honestly think it will improve attendance.
If 500 people buy 1 beer at $5 that`s $2500. How do you say no to money like that?
Sounds like you need to be a bit tipsy to watch the Cougers.
Cheers
As a matter of fact, it has been a few years since I have been to a game.
I just don’t understand how people can’t go two hours without having to have a beer? Addiction at its worst.
Ya Howrd_B_Stern. I don’t understand either… Why sell popcorn, hotdogs, and pizza. If a person can’t go 2 hours without eating. What an addiction. Have you ever enjoyed anything in your life.
This is a tough call.
The Cougars are the only WHL team to not serve beer in the stands. However, it seems that PG has more idiots who can’t handle their alcohol than other places. Just my perception.
It`s a Hockey Game, not a sermon. I`d probably go more often if they sold beer. Its a place where I could yell, scream, cheer, and drink beer. Get into the spirit all you frumpy people.
There’s already enough sober idiots on the streets now… why do we need to let them put booze into their bodies on top of it?
On top of that… we STILL have to many drunks on the roads…
Why on earth adults think life is better when drinking booze at sporting events I’ll never know.
Everything is about money. Everything! If alcohol “didn’t sell” then there’s no way this would be up for discussion. But alcohol sales, which equals increased revenues, always takes precedence over the lives of people.
Too bad!
Posted by: thisisme on December 7 2011 9:19 AM
If you don’t think the beer sales at a Cougar game are significant, then you haven’t been in the Ice Lounge during a game.
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The last game I attended, the Ice lounge participants appeared to want to join the players on the ice. The only thing that appeared to be missing was a brass pole!
Posted by: confused on December 7 2011 9:58 AM
Ya Howrd_B_Stern. I don’t understand either… Why sell popcorn, hotdogs, and pizza. If a person can’t go 2 hours without eating. What an addiction. Have you ever enjoyed anything in your life.
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Funny how some people like to make comments like this.
Like drugs and food can be even remotely compared in the way you have.
newtechie: “Everything is about money. Everything! If alcohol “didn’t sell” then there’s no way this would be up for discussion.”
What’s your point exactly?
Seeing who’s coming out against alcohol in the stands, it’s making me lean towards thinking that it might not be a bad idea.
I’m with Tractor on this.
I have been to a bunch of events at the CN center when beer is sold and for the most part people are reasonable.
CN Center is a loosing proposition financialy. It needs to generate more revenue. Either we look at things like this or raise the ticket cost or taxes.
How is it about money, because CN center looses money, how does this debate relate to morals. People who drink beer are just as likely to go to hell as the rest of us ;)
I use to be no way to beer in the stands because I didn’t want some drunken lout sitting next to me swearing at the kids on the ice and leaning into me. But, with attendance at 1500, there’s so many empty seats it would be no problem for me to move if that happened. So go ahead, I say. But, I would prefer, if like they do in Cranbrook, that they designate an area of the building as non-alcoholic so if the Cougars ever do get crowds again, I can choose to enjoy the game without the lout.
BTW – what’s the policy on smoking pot. Seems every time there’s a rock concert it is quite legal to smoke pot – which annoys me because I wouldn’t mind seeing Deep Purple, I just don’t want to see it through a purple haze.
@ ski50 – I go to lots of shows & only catch a whiff of weed once in a while, not that I care. DP will be an older crowd anyway (meaning apparently drunk & out of control).
How is this about addiction? If someone is truly addicted to alcohol than have faith, they will be drunk when they get to the game and probably have a few nips during intermission as well. Selling beer wont change that at all. The vocal holier than though minority that thinks this is soooo terrible have probably never been to a game anyway.
Smoooooke in the Center
So thick it hurts my eyes
Sorry could not resist
I was at a vollyball game at the college in Grand Praire and they sold beer. Grow up Prince George. To all you anti-beer crowd, move to Saudi Arabia.
Given the way the Cougars play the beer will help us drown our sorrows. According to some details published previously on projected beer sales the take was only somwhere around $15,000.00 a season and after expenses and the cities cut the Cougars got less than $3000.00. Hardly a an amount to get excited over.
$15000 a season? Doubtful. Unless my math is wrong, at 6 bucks a beer, that’s 2500 beers sold over 40 home games. If you told me $15000 a night, I might believe you.
Firstly most people at a Cougars game wouldnt buy the beer even if it was for sale. I think I seen the same figures that resident quoted. So neither the City or the Cougars will get much revenue from the sale of beer. However because this franchise is losing money at a high rate, and the City is losing money also, I expect that every dollar counts.
If they had 3/4 full attendence I doubt if we would be having this discussion,.
The poll taken by the City was designed in such a way that they would get the numbers that they were looking for. Somewhat dishonest in my opinion, however thats how City Hall works.
The real questions is. Who sells the liquor at the CN Centre, and who is responsible if someone leaves the facility drunk, and is involved in an accident. If they were served alcohol in an inebriated condition in a bar, and allowed to leave and drive their car the bar would be responsible. If they left your house in that condition you would be liable, so I expect that if they leave CN Centre, after drinking in excess the City would be liable. ????
If the City is responsible for selling alcohol to **drunks** then they better make sure that the taxpayers understand the additional liability of serving alcohol in the CN Centre.
Have a nice day.
Palpou, how does Kamloops, Kelowna, Vancouver, edmonton, new york, denver, Grande Praire, Montreal, New orliens,London, Rome……., do it?????
This is such a lame discusion. Let people who want to buy a friggin beer buy one. Get over it. This nanny mentality has run its course.
No beer end of story, unless you are willing to supply a breath sample at the road block at every exit from the multiplex.
Drinking and driving is illegal folks so you get over it!
Confused that’s a great name for you.
Of course I have fun and have been known to knock down a few beers, and some times have knocked down too many and passed out in a cab on my way home FROM A BAR, not a hockey game.
You want to drink, fine go ahead, fill your head with something, but can you show some control and not have to do it at a hockey game?
Drinking and driving over the limit is illegal. Not everyone who wants a beer will be driving. Noseverence, go pound sand.
Drink your beer at home if you need to dow7500. But when you do stay home. It’s really that simple.
I’ll drink my beer where ever I want. I don’t need your approval to partake in a legal excercise. I won’t drive however. Its really that simple.
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