MOOSE JAW — Lacrosse continues to be a popular sport across Saskatchewan, so to encourage more attendance in Moose Jaw, the local association plans to sell alcohol at the Kinsmen Sportsplex Arena again this season.
During its recent regular meeting, city council voted unanimously to let the Moose Jaw Lacrosse Association operate licensed events in the arena’s southwest corner over the next few months during Junior — under age 22 — games. This approval is subject to the organization obeying the conditions outlined in the City of Moose Jaw’s alcohol use events policy.
This is the third year that council has given the association approval for a special occasion permit for the Junior games, with city hall receiving zero calls from anyone concerned about these events at the sports venue, a council report said.
The team will use the money from the home games for buses, hotels and meals when on the road. It expects about 40 people to attend the home games and access the licensed areas.
Since the team’s regular season and playoff schedules change annually, administration suggested that the proposed approval period range from May 1 to July 31, which gives the association adequate time to plan and secure all necessary permits, the report said.
The association will submit the Junior team’s final schedule when it becomes available, with those dates reflected in the licensing and insurance documents.
The alcohol use events policy says the Kinsmen Arena is a discretionary use site for alcohol-related activities, so the event operator must submit a written request to city hall, which reviews the application and sends it to council for approval, the document says.
The community services department recommended that alcohol sales and consumption be limited to the Kinsmen Arena’s southwest corner so patrons and young families using the pool, pickleball courts, ball diamonds, skate park and other building amenities don’t see those adult activities, the report said.
However, users of the building and fans at the licensed event will share washrooms, while the association will work with the Sportsplex concession operator to provide food services.
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Association (SLGA) will also evaluate the request as part of the permitting process to determine whether the event is appropriate and can have a permit.
The lacrosse association informed city hall that it is prepared to meet or exceed all conditions that the city and SLGA have, the report added. Moreover, all volunteers will complete responsible alcohol service training for special occasions, as SLGA requires.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, May 12.
