Booze in the Seats Back in Council’s Lap
Prince George, B.C.- The Committee of the Whole for Prince George Council has sent the matter of expanding alcohol sales at Cougar’s Games, back to City Council calling on Council to approve expansion of alcohol sales for a year long pilot project.
CN Centre manager Andy Beasley says the reason this item is back before the City is because this is the first time the Cougars have formally requested an expansion of alcohol service and that a complete review of security resulted in major changes in security services.
Beasley says CN Centre is fully licensed now, its just a matter of the City saying yes to the practice.
The Committee was presented with the results of the survey conducted to gauge Cougar game attendees thoughts on the idea.
The 21 question survey was filled out by 522 people. Here are some of the numbers for those questions:
89% of respondents attended Cougars games fairly regularly, and 92% attended between 1 to 10 CN Centre concerts/events per year.
90% indicated their knowledge that alcohol service is currently available in the luxury suites as well as beer garden type areas.
72% of respondents were not opposed to the concept of alcohol service in the general seating areas during Cougars games;
66% were not opposed during concerts/events; and when asked for an opinion providing that designated alcohol and non-alcohol zones be put in place,
77% said they supported the idea of reducing or eliminating beer gardens and allowing alcohol consumption in the general seating area.
94% of respondents were in favour of strict security measures including ejecting people who are drinking and causing any type of disturbance, without refunds and without repeated warnings.
48% were in favour of pricing alcoholic beverages at a price point sufficient to discourage people from seeing drinking as the primary purpose for attending WHL games (and other events) at the CN Centre.
62% of respondents agreed with the concept of restricting the number of alcoholic beverages a customer can purchase.
84% indicated that they would participate in enhanced security measures such as “Jerk Alert” – an option to anonymously text security the location of individuals causing disturbances.
Responses to the question “Would you continue to attend Cougars games (and other events/concerts) at the CN Centre if people were permitted to consume their alcoholic beverages in their seats?”
- 15% said they would never attend another game (or any other event).
- 11% said they would probably attend, but would not be happy.
- 25% said they didn’t care either way.
- 11% said it would probably encourage them to attend more.
- 38% said it would definitely encourage them to attend more
- Of the total amount of surveys completed 3% gave no response
There is no requirement for a public hearing for the City to make a change in its alcohol service policy at the CN Centre. Councillor Murry Krause wondered if perhaps the public was fully aware that it had an opportunity to offer input on this matter "A public meeting does tend to get atttention" said Krause and it would appear the surveys were limited to on line submissions.
Extensive written comments were provided by 234 people. Those who wrote in favour of expanding alcohol sales said this move would bring the CN Centre in closer alignment with other WHL arenas.
Those who oppose the expansion said people should be able to attend a game or concert/event without having to drink alcohol, or having families with children exposed to alcohol. They worried about problems with those who had had too much to drink.
The matter will be placed on the agenda for the January 9th Council meeting.
Comments
How many times do we have to say no? No means no.
Sounds to me that more people are saying “yes” then are saying “no”.
Indeed…. not that many people saying ‘no’? But the ‘no’ side is usually louder than the rest.
this is a joke…a complete waste of time.. this discussion has been going on for years. How many countless hours have been wasted on such a small item. So what if you dont want to have a beer at the game..then dont.. It would be nice to see how many of these people the voted NO that have attended other teams home arena where they serve beer. None of them have ever gone to a canucks game or lions game? I attend the odd Cougars game and big deal if someone wants a beer.. Also if someone makes a idiot of themselves being drunk or otherwise they should be removed from the arena. The majority of the respondents said YES to the beer in the stands.. so lets put beer in the stands and have the council move on to something important.
Yup, I’ll attend more if I can drink there.
The show kinda sucks, but as long as I can drink there, I’m all for it!
Hey Dragon, you do realize that booze is served at all kinds of sporting and events and entertainment venues worldwide. Why should the Multiplex and the Cougars be different? I anxiously await your wisdom.
Whats the longevity of this franchse. The last two games had 1550, and 1565 fans . This number includes season ticket holders who may or may not have been at the games.
Not everyone who attend games would drink beer. In fact I suspect the number would be less than one quarter. So we are making major changes to allow drinking for approx 500 people more or less. These people can already get a drink in the lounge if they chose.
SO????? If we consider that if the drinkers have 2 beers each at 6 dollars per beer we would be looking at $6000.00 in revenue. Then of course we would have to deduct the revenue that they already make in the lounge. I presume that those now drinking in the lounge wuld drink in their seats??. In any event we are looking at a very small increase in revenue.
The need to sell liquor is because this franchise is losing money, and it is costing the City big bucks to keep it in the CN Centre. Roughly $60,000.00 or more per year.
Selling booze will not (in my opinion) increase attendence. This franchise is for all intents and purposes finished. It has no support in Prince George, and hasnt had any for some years.
The City recently changed their contract with the Cougars and instead of getting 12% of the gross ticket sales up to $150,000.00 and 15% beyond, they now get a percentage of the gross sales on a sliding scale. So the less people who attend a game the less money the City collects. Even at the old rate of 12% they would have only collected roughly $2600.00 at the last game, and it would be significanly less under the new rates. $2600.00 isnt enough to pay for the cost of heat, lights, labour, etc; etc;.
It time the Council pulled their collective heads out of the sand, and took a hard look at this issue. Selling liquor is not the soution.
Ex Mayor Roders, made a statement earlier this year to the effect that people of Prince George should support this franchise or they will lose it. There has been no increase in attendence since he made this statement.
Palopu, I’m sure nothing would make you happier than to see the Cougars leave town. You’re not a hockey fan, we get that.
Unless I’m mistaken, nobody is saying that the sale of booze will increase attendance. It’s just another revenue stream. One that just about every other sports franchise in the world uses.
Again I ask, why should the Cougars be different?
When I grow up I want to be a miserable, intolerant coot.
Palopu – your revenue “facts” are way off base.
How many times do we have to say yes? Yes means Yes.
Well my revenue facts may not be perfect, however there is one thing that is obvious, and that is the average attendence at a Cougar game is below 2000 fans per game.
Considering the fact that Brodsky made a statement a few years ago that he needs 3000 fans per game to make any money I suggest that we have a huge problem.
Playing to 4000 empty seats at each game must be somewhat demoralizing to the players.
My position is simple. I stated at the time that they built the CN Centre that there were not sufficient fans in Prince George to support a franchise. They had a few good years in the beginning and then a decline. I state again.
There are not enough **boni fide** hockey fans in Prince George to support a WHL franchise.
The attendence numbers speak for themselves. All the excuses in the world will not make a difference, if you cannot get people to the games, then you do not have the support. Pretty simple really.
“Hey Dragon, you do realize that booze is served at all kinds of sporting and events and entertainment venues worldwide. Why should the Multiplex and the Cougars be different?”
Why shouldn’t they be different? Why do drugs need to be consumed around every corner?
Just because the Jones do something doesn’t mean everyone has to follow, does it?
Who cares what the Jones do? You wanna be a sheep thats your choice.
It’s kind of ironic that some circus animals have been banned in PG but consuming drugs at sporting events is considered by some to be just fine.
Don’t get me wrong because I tip a few myself quite often and have nothing against drinking at the right time and place. But IMO, to allow it in the stands at Cougars games shouldn’t be permitted.
It’s bad enough having to deal with the idiots that show up there already half cut that ruin others game experience.
If it is permitted then lets allow it at highschool, college and university sporting events.
Johnny say’s….”Unless I’m mistaken, nobody is saying that the sale of booze will increase attendance”.
Well the results of the survey kinda do don’t they?
“38% said it would definitely encourage them to attend more”
Pretty sad commentary when a lack of fans makes business people turn to the sale of drugs to entice people to hand over their money.
Awaiting you great wisdom in response.
“Why shouldn’t they be different? Why do drugs need to be consumed around every corner?”
Huh? You see consuming a beer in the stands as being on the same level as consuming any street drug? Tell me, what colour is the sky in your world?
“Just because the Jones do something doesn’t mean everyone has to follow, does it?
Who cares what the Jones do? You wanna be a sheep thats your choice.”
Again, the Cougars would be the last WHL franchise to serve booze in the stands. What does this have to do with being a ‘sheep’?
Stop trying to be everyone’s nanny.
I think this is more or less a non-issue as the new drinking/driving laws now in place pretty much dictate the consumption of alcohol in any public forum. Most people will probably have at most one beer, if any. I doubt very much if I will have a drink in the stands, however, I resent the fact that those sitting behind me (in suites) are able to drink while sitting in the seat they have paid for (albiet at a great expense) while I have to leave my seat and go to the basement.
38% said it would definitely encourage them to attend more if alcohol were served at Cougars games…
I bet the number would be even higher if the question was “Would you attend more games if Brodsky removed Dallas Thompson?”.
I know, way off topic, but I firmly believe that’s a bigger and more accurate issue with regards to low attendance. People are fed up giving their their money to somebody who’s sole purpose is to keep his daughter & son-in-law employed, and be-damned the hockey fans…. who btw, would like to see a winning team from time to time, don’t you think?
I don’t think alcohol in the stands is going to make one bit of difference, other than a few pesos in the pockets of those selling it.
JohnnyBelt, try to show a bit more respect when replying to other people’s posts please. As I tell children, “don’t call names.”
“Huh? You see consuming a beer in the stands as being on the same level as consuming any street drug?”
I made no such inference in anything I posted. But, just as I suspected, you appear to think alcohol is not a drug.
Newsflash!!!
“Again, the Cougars would be the last WHL franchise to serve booze in the stands. What does this have to do with being a ‘sheep’?”
OMG!!! the last ones to serve booze in the stands!!!
If they don’t, does this mean an end to all mankind? Who the heck cares and what does it matter who places where when it comes to serving alcohol/drugs, (one in the same)in the stands?
Well, I will leave the “sheep” analogy explanation for you and your wisdom.
“Stop trying to be everyone’s nanny”
Stop trying to spread the use of drugs in public places.
“I resent the fact that those sitting behind me (in suites) are able to drink while sitting in the seat they have paid for (albiet at a great expense) while I have to leave my seat and go to the basement.”
The “elite” say who gets to do what and where.
Lol. Ok, I’ll bypass your incredibly faulty logic of equating a beer with drugs, even though I could have a lot of fun with it.
In your view, where is it acceptable to consume alcohol? Where is it not acceptable?
born: “JohnnyBelt, try to show a bit more respect when replying to other people’s posts please. As I tell children, “don’t call names.”
Gee thanks. Are you the moderator? Or just a random do-gooder?
Long live beer in the stands
Long live beer in the stands
Long live beer in the stands
Long live beer in the stands
Long live beer in the stands
Long live beer in the stands
Long live beer in the sands
Long bive leer in the sans
Long love bleer on the stand
Live long ber in the stuns
…hic!
Now that`s the spirit Pylot! lol
I’m all for it! I don’t drink but it makes for a good sideshow when the hockey sucks.
They should make Club seats too where you are served in your seats like the Canucks games for extra $ per ticket
I don’t understand some of the logic…saying they can’t make the rent so don’t serve beer…? Wouldn’t it stand to reason if they can’t afford to keep the lights on then introducing a few new revenue streams would make sense?
Palopu if the franchise would make some moves to have a winning hockey club people would go!!!! The Multiplex used to be packed with standing room only!!!!! You are wrong we do have the fan base….we just want an organization that puts a winning team on the ice for the fans to follow? Why do they keep loosing year after year? is it because the hockey fans og PG don’t go to the games? NO its the ownership and their decisions that have lost the fans!!!The people of PG got tired of supporting stupid decisions from the Cougar owners. Its not the polayers its the ownership that has lost the confidence of the people of PG. I wonder why the same ownership lost the fans of Victoria?
haha ooops re: all the spelling
Comments for this article are closed.