Beer on Tap at Cougars Games
Monday, January 9, 2012 @ 8:21 PM
Prince George, B.C.- Council for the City of Prince George has agreed to move forward and allow a pilot project at the CN Centre that would expand alcohol sales into the stands.
The pilot project would be in effect until the end of the Cougars’ 2012/2013 season and could start within the next couple of months.
There is no requirement for a public hearing on this change in practice. The CN Centre already has the necessary license, all that is needed is change in policy from City Council.
Councillor Garth Frizzell was the lone opponent of the plan. He says he is concerned about the city "normalizing" drinking beer and watching a hockey game. He noted that after the first year, the "City won’t make enough money to cover the first lawsuit" as drinking at a hockey game would be followed by those same people getting into their vehicles to drive home. He says it also smacks because it is the City which must pay for the policing costs.
The Manager of the CN Centre and arenas, Andy Beesley, says game and event goers have been surveyed for their opinion on the matter and the matter has public support.
A 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
Net profit from expanded alcohol sales would see the Cougars pick up 30% and the City 70%.
Based on attendance rates from last year, the Cougars could pick up about $3,200 from expanded alcohol sales. The City could stand to make an extra $40 thousand a year from expanded alcohol sales during Cougars’ games and other shows and concerts throughout the year.
Beesley says the CN Centre plans to introduce an anonymous texting program called "Jerk Alert" in whichsecurity can be alerted to someone who is causing problems. The pilot would also set up entire sections as "alcohol free".
Comments
The city should be getting 100%.
Just a thought, but the Cougars could hire a competent GM, Coach, sell an extra couple thousand season tickets and no one would need beer money to fund the place. Oh, but there I go on another drunken rant.
The only increase in liquor sales would be the difference between what they already collect in the so called lounge area, and the amount they will collect in the general seating area. As far as the Couger games go, I doubt if it will make any difference. Seems the City will make their money on **other shows and concerts** throughout the year.
I cant beleive that being able to have one or two beers would be an incentive for some people to sit on their butts for two hours and watch a game. If they are not going now, I doubt if they will go for two $6.00 beers.
The Cougers in this town are **dead**. People have lost interest and have moved on. It will take a bloody miracle to get an increase in fans. Selling beer will not do it.
Average attendence at Cougers games is 2000 fans. Remove those who are under 18, and those regulars who do not drink, and you will not have very many people left to buy the beer.
Lets watch and see if there is a significant difference in attendence or beer sales. Im betting there wont be.
Do you notice that the City never mentions the fact that the Couger franchise is a losing proposition, and that they lose money on this franchise every year for at least the last five years. They usually ignore these kind of facts.
Can we just not have the alcohol sales here, at the hockey games, there are alot of kids that go to these games. Whats it going to be next, a cool bevvy in the hot tub at the aquatic center?
People need to seriously calm down about this. What year are we living in? 1930?
Glad to see Frizzell stuck to his principles. What happened with Krause and Stolz? Didn’t they oppose this previously? Were they there or did they perform the infamous “political flip-flop”?
and Palopu is right – even beer isn’t going to be enough to save this franchise. Baring the “bloody miracle” as suggested, the moving vans will be recommissioned and the cougars will be on the move again.
If you can go to Dennys and have a beer, why can’t you go to a hockey game and have a beer. They shouldn’t have made such a big deal about it.
Also time for Brodsky to get out. Please please sell the team Brodsky. I use to go to lots of games and won’t go until Brodsky is gone.. You cheap %$#&!
Kids go to games yes. Kids go everywhere there is beer being consumed — even at home. Beer isn’t illegal yet.
The percentage of the population that goes to the games is pretty small. None of my friends (me inluded) go to hockey games. So few people there, you may as well make it a party.
More kids at a “burn out” party than at the hockey games.
Yaaaa, another place to get booze. I think it should be served in movie theaters next.
The upside is atleast now the fans will be able to drown their sorrows brought on by the dismal performance of the Cougars.
I take my kids to the occasional game; they quite enjoy it! I’d hardly call it a “dismal performance”, those guys on the ice are giving it their all; their issue is that they’re just not that good.
As for the beer, how drunk drunk can anyone get in an hour or so on the watered down crap that they’ll be selling? Not very and the one or two people who do will be tossed quickly.
Well at least all 522 people at the game filled out the survey!
Nice to see the Temperance League is alive & as fanatical as ever.
Ruez… it already is being served in some movie theatres. Cineplex has been rolling out 19+ theatres. Reserved seating, popcorn etc delivered to your seat…. and a cocktail if you so desire.
Pretty sad when you think about it eh, have to have mind altering addictive drugs to enjoy yourself at a game.
What’s next? Exercycles as seats so that people can expend all those calories taken in with whatever people have to drink and eat?
Does anyone know how many lawsuits there have been in the City because they were serving alcohol in the so-called “lounge” or the box seats or whatever they are called?
I mean, if I were afraid of lawsuits, at least I would come armed with some stats of how many there have been in this city, and especially in other cities which allow beer in the stands or portion of stands.
You hit it Gus. Nobody mention’s you can drink all the whiskey you want up in the private box’s. But those peasant’s down below having a beer in the seat’s……
Cool! First guy/gal I see drinking beer in the stands I’m going to send a text to security that they are causing a problem! Let the games begin.
NoWay: do you honestly think security and management hasn’t already thought of that? Please…..
The little boy who cried wolf ….
The moral in ye olde english = “men bileve not lyghtly hym whiche is knowen for a lyer”
I honestly think it will be fun to watch the show. They will need more security to answer all the calls.
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