Windsor-Essex's only junior-B hockey team may soon be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages at its home games.
LaSalle Town Council will be asked at its meeting Tuesday night to approve a plan to allow the LaSalle Vipers to begin a pilot project and serve alcohol at its home contests.
According to the report going before councillors, the Vipers would team up with the G.O.A.T. Tap and Eatery, which would serve as the operator under a caterer's endorsement from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
"Alcohol will be sold and served from the roll-up window in the Richard Bondy Tournament Office [convenor’s room]," read the report. "The licensed consumption area will be immediately adjacent to the office in the food court, forming a rectangular space between the southwest wall of the office and the northeast wall of Rink A. This area includes the rink’s entrance doors and a small portion just inside the rink. Stanchions or low pipe and drape will be used to define the space, and only game ticket holders may enter the area from within the arena."
Room capacity is limited to 65 people. For alcohol sales, it will be limited to 40. The plan allows for one Smart Serve-certified bartender and a security guard to be present at all times.
Alcohol is sold at some home games in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), but not all. It is at the discretion of the individual hockey club.
If the pilot project is approved, alcohol will be available from 45 minutes before the opening faceoff, until ten minutes remaining in the third period.
There would be no cost to the Town of LaSalle, as the Vipers and any partners would cover all associated expenses.