SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
VLLC AGENDA
APRIL 18, 1996
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: April 12, 1996
Dept. File No.2188IC.COV
TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM: Deputy Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: Molson Indy - Class 'E' Stadium Liquor License
Pacific Auto Racing Inc.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council endorse the request by Pacific Auto Racing Inc., for a
Class 'E' Stadium liquor license, subject to hours agreed upon by
the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, Vancouver Police
Department and City of Vancouver, for the three day annual
Vancouver Indy event as shown in Appendix A, and this application
meeting the requirements of the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch
regulations.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
That all new liquor licenses or amendments to liquor licenses be
considered by the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission.
PURPOSE
Pacific Auto Racing Inc., is requesting a City Council resolution
endorsing its application for a Class 'E' Stadium liquor license for the
three day annual Vancouver Indy held adjacent to B.C. Place Stadium.
BACKGROUND
The Vancouver Indy has been an annual major event in the city for the
past six years. Over this time, the liquor licensing for this event has
been approved by a temporary extension to the existing Class 'A' Lounge
license at B.C. Place Stadium. Some Special Occasion Licenses have also
been issued for specific areas of the event.
As it appears this event may continue for a number of years, the
management has expressed a desire to have their own liquor license.
They feel this would address concerns related to liability, valid
interest in the property and overall responsibility of the Indy event.
The applicant points out that the event would operate in the same manner
as in the past, the exception being that Pacific Auto Racing Inc., will
hold the liquor license. Consumption of alcohol will still occur in
controlled areas and supervision will continue to include close
consultation with the Police Department. The license will only be for
three consecutive days each year, with hours of sale restricted to event
times with a maximum of 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DISCUSSION
The applicant has some issues to resolve with the Provincial Liquor
Control and Licensing Branch prior to approval, including the Tied House
regulation which restricts a manufacturer of liquor from holding a
liquor license. The applicant feels that these issues can be addressed
at the appropriate stage of the licensing process.
The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch requires a City endorsement of
the Class 'E' license application as part of the applicant's submission.
It is not necessary for Council to address the issues related to
possible conflicts with the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, prior to
Council's endorsement.
COMMENTS
Police Department concerns relate to hours of service. Hours of service
are proposed as 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., on all three days. This event
has received licensing in the past with the following restrictions to
hours of service:
Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Police do not see any
necessity to change these hours of service as they encompass the times
of the actual racing trials and Indy races.
Further restrictions are in place as to the size of each licensed area
i.e. 'E' license extensions allow seven licensed areas with a total
maximum of 5,500 persons capacity. There is also an 'A'
license extension for seven other areas which allows hard liquor
service. Capacity in these areas is restricted to a total maximum of
4,360 persons.
The applicant must address the issue of which areas will provide full
liquor service. The 'E' license would only allow for beer, wine, cider
and coolers to be served, unless specific areas, such as the pit suites,
are approved by the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch.
The Engineering Department has no concerns related to this application.
CONCLUSION
Approval of this Class 'E' liquor license at the Vancouver Indy site
will not change the way liquor is served at this event. The licensee
responsible for liquor service would be directly accountable to the
management of the event. The Police Department is concerned about the
hours of operation and the possibility of liquor service extending too
long after the end of the race.
Consultation with the Police Department will continue, which will
include the decision on the number of police officers required, costs of
enforcement and hours of operation.
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