Plans for revamped food and beverage services at Powell River Recreation Complex could provide for an expansion of the facility’s liquor licence.
The recreation complex liquor licence is undergoing the renewal process because it expires at the end of November, said Ray Boogaards, director of parks, recreation and culture for City of Powell River. The licence application has already been submitted to provincial regulators.
“We currently have two areas that are licensed in the building,” Boogaards said. “One area involves the east-side bleachers in the Hap Parker Arena and we also have the lobby in front.”
Proposals are afoot to expand the liquor licence to cover more of the recreation complex and tie it to the new food services contract in the facility. Lesley Lasure and Kate Wetherell have been operating the main food concession on the ground floor of the recreation complex, as well as the concession stand in the arena, typically operated during hockey games and other sporting events. The intention of expanding the liquor licence, however, is not to create another liquor outlet in Powell River.
“This is not a beer and burger joint,” Boogaards said. “I was talking to someone recently who said it would be great to go to the concession and order a beer. That wasn’t the intent. What we are trying to do is keep our alcohol sales in a controlled environment, tied to events, predominantly. We want a family atmosphere but we recognize that alcohol has a place, too, at a rec centre.”
Boogaards said earlier this year, a recommendation was presented to city council to put out the request for proposals for food service at the recreation complex and to add liquor service to it. He said the reason the recommendation was made was because there were advantages to operating an all-inclusive operation for food and beverage at the recreation complex.
The priority was getting the food service up and running and then developing the plan of action for expansion of the service, Boogaards said.
Many steps have to be taken, however, for this to be an eventuality.
“We have to follow the liquor licensing regulations,” Boogaards said. “We can’t hand off to a third party without the proper paperwork.”
He said that recently, he and Mac Fraser, the city’s chief administrative officer, were serving beer at a Powell River Kings hockey game and more recently, Shehzad Somji, the city’s chief financial officer, and Neil Pukesh, the new interim manager of recreation, were serving. “Because of our insurance and because the licence is in our name, only city staff can pour,” he said. “We want to make sure the community has what it needs and if we have to help out a bit, we’re there for it.”
The next step is to look at the third party involvement and that is what Boogaards is working on now with the existing food services provider.
“There are a lot of things to finalize to make sure it is done correctly,” he said. “We want to make sure we are enhancing the experience for our patrons coming into the building. Some people want to be able to come to a large event and get a glass of wine or beer. We want to make sure it’s all by regulation.
“We are very supportive of all of those groups that have done it in the past, and their efforts and volunteerism, but we want to make sure that as we are going forward, it is right by liquor licensing. We want to make sure we are not pushing it too fast and that the city’s interests are covered.”
