A Hastings Park neighbours group is giving thumbs down to the Pacific National Exhibitions bid to allow Pacific Coliseum patrons to go bottoms up earlier and later.
A notice of intent sign erected outside the Pacific Coliseum says the PNE is seeking to expand the 11 a.m. to midnight liquor service hours under its liquor primary license to 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
All residents and businesses within an 800-metre radius must be notified and can send their comments to the Liquor Licensing and Control Board. The deadline for letters to be received is Oct. 9. The sign, which lists a post office box but no email address, says: "Petitions and form letters will not be considered.
Were definitely opposed to any extension of liquor serving hours, none of us have heard a word (about this proposal), said Gale Tyler of the Friends of Hastings Park.
David Bornman, chairman of the West Coast Christian School across from the Coliseum, said the area is already challenged by some misbehaving PNE eventgoers.
We always have people downing alcohol and letting it out on our fence, Bornman said.
PNE spokeswoman Laura Ballance said the change is sought to make the Coliseum more competitive with the later serving hours at downtown venues. The 2011 facility services guide says the Vancouver Convention Centre liquor service hours are 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Winter Sports Centres hours have been 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday since a November 2009 LCLB decision that also banned liquor service at concerts.
Ballance said even if the amendment passed, neighbouring Hastings Racecourse would still serve liquor later until 2 a.m.
Though an amendment would allow the Coliseum to serve booze earlier, Ballance said the PNE doesnt plan to turn on taps or open caps before 11 a.m.
Its a standard thing, effective 9 a.m, it doesnt matter when youre starting to pour, Ballance said. Were never anticipating using a 9 a.m. license, were just going to stick to the 11 a.m. Really our interest is bringing us back onto parity with the other venues.
Ballance said the application is not in reaction to the needs and wants of a single promoter.
Its not specific to a specific event, Ballance said. If it was we would apply for a temporary license around an event, which is not uncommon.
Provincial regulations governing the sale of booze at stadiums and convention centres were amended in July 1995 to allow sales from 9 a.m. and 2 a.m. Its not the first time the PNE has sought the change of hours. In November 2007 it applied for 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. service and to amend the liquor primary licence to cover all 17,903 Coliseum seats, including the skybox suites.
PNE sent 500 notices in the survey area and received one letter, three emails and two telephone calls in opposition. Respondents opposing the application are most concerned with the hours of liquor service, consumption of alcohol, drunkenness, rowdiness, increased noise pollution, parking issues and vandalism," said the 2007 report.
Tyler said operational and land use decisions at Hastings Park, including service of alcohol, ultimately need to be conducted openly with the participation of area residents. She said a governance review was promised when city council passed the master plan, but there has been no action.
It speaks to the totally inadequate governing model at the PNEthe PNE board meets in secret, Tyler said.
