SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
VLLC AGENDA
MARCH 13, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: February 20, 1997
Dept. File No.2205IC.COV
C.C. File: 2615-1
TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM: Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: Pacific Racing Association, Hastings Park Racecourse
Class 'E' Stadium Liquor License
CONSIDERATION
A. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the
request by the Pacific Racing Association, for a Class 'E'
Stadium liquor license at Hastings Park Racecourse, subject to
the following conditions:
i) the betting area be excluded from the licensed area;
ii) no other forms of gaming be permitted;
iii) approximately 50% of the seats and public area be
designated non-drinking; and
iv) the licensed areas be clearly marked and supervised by
trained staff.
OR
B. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the
request by the Pacific Racing Association for a Class 'E'
Stadium liquor license at Hastings Park Racecourse.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services submits the choice
between A and B for CONSIDERATION.
COUNCIL POLICY
City Council policy is to not require a referendum for a major complex
provided it is illustrated that there is little or no community
opposition as determined by the neighbourhood notification or if there
is no residential within close proximity.
City Council has opposed gaming in association with the serving of
alcoholic beverages.
PURPOSE
The Pacific Racing Association is requesting a City Council resolution
endorsing its request for a Class 'E' Stadium liquor license at Hastings
Park Racecourse.
BACKGROUND
The existing liquor licenses at Hastings Park Racecourse date back to
the 1960s and do not conform to several areas of Liquor Control and
Licensing Branch (LCLB) policy or current regulation.
In July 1995, the Liquor Control and Licensing Act was amended to permit
the appropriate licensing of large conference and convention centres and
stadia under a Class 'E' license. The regulations permit sales between
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. However, liquor service is restricted to sales
at specific events.
The applicant wishes to convert the existing liquor licenses to a Class
'E' Stadium license and expand the licensed area to include some areas
not previously licensed.
The racecourse is located at the north end of Exhibition Park in a CD-1
(Comprehensive Development) zoning district (Appendix A). The racetrack
is separated from the residential area by McGill and Renfrew Streets,
with the Pacific Coliseum also providing a buffer. The only residences
within 1,000 feet of the actual facility are located on the north side
of McGill Street, between Renfrew and Nootka Streets, and along the west
side of Renfrew Street. New Brighton Park and storage warehouses are
located north of the subject site.
DISCUSSION
This application is for conversion of the existing multiple Class 'A'
(Recreation Centre) and Class 'B' Dining Lounge licenses to one Class
'E' Stadium liquor license, except for the Pacific Rim Lounge, which
will remain a Class 'A' Lounge.
In addition, this application proposes to license several areas not
previously licensed, including:
- the licensing of a portion of the outdoor seating area in the
grandstand, including general public areas, private boxes and group
sales areas;
- The licensing of a portion of the apron area between the stadium
building and the track;
- the licensing of the concourse inside the existing stadium;
- the permanent licensing of the Marquee Tent on the grassy knoll to
the west of the grandstand;
- re-licensing of the existing Class 'A' and 'B' licensed areas to
the new Class 'E' Stadium license;
- eventual conversion of some existing licensed areas into banquet or
meeting room facilities.
Some of these areas have been licensed in the past through regular
temporary extensions of the existing licenses (particularly the Marquee
Tent) and no difficulties or problems have been encountered.
The desire to license the outdoor areas is also to ensure consistency
with the trend of non-smoking in buildings, which is a valid
consideration at Hastings Park, given the smoking habits of the regular
patrons.
The Police Department has not had any enforcement problems and,
therefore, has no objections.
The Planning Department and Housing Centre have no comment.
The Vancouver Health Board advise that the current Class 'A' Lounges are
allowed to have a smoking area up to 70% maximum. The reclassification
of the Class 'A' Lounges (Paddock Lounge, Table Terrace, Cafeteria
Lounge, Clubhouse Lounge) to Class 'E' Stadium would require that these
areas be 100% non-smoking, in accordance with the City's Smoking By-law.
The outside Class 'E' licensed areas are not required to have
non-smoking areas although, in practice, non-smoking areas are
designated.
The Hastings Park Working Committee discussed this application, and a
majority of the members gave it their support.
The Hastings Community Association comments that a non-licensed area
should be provided.
CONCLUSION
The change from the existing Class 'A' Recreation Centre and Class 'B'
Dining Lounge to a Class 'E' Stadium would not result in significant
changes to the current operation of the facility. The expansion of
liquor service to areas not previously licensed will allow the racetrack
to operate in a manner similar to other Class 'E' facilities, such as
G.M. Place and Nat Bailey Stadium. Response to the notification will
provide Council with feedback on any neighbourhood concerns with this
application.
Although the racecourse seems to be well run, Council has had concerns
over the gambling association with liquor service. Therefore, two
alternate recommendations are submitted for Council's consideration.
* * * * *