ELORA – Elora Rocks fans will soon be able to kick back and watch their team live with a beer in hand.
Approved at a Centre Wellington council meeting Monday evening, the Elora Rocks Sr. Hockey Club has been permitted to serve alcohol in a section of the tiered seating area at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre after the team said it would "enhance the spectator experience" at games.
Having already received approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (A.G.C.O), the Elora Rocks said they intend to implement a safe service plan that includes a wristband system, two security guards to monitor all home games, a safe transportation plan and a two-drink limit per sale.
To be evaluated on a game-to-game basis, this is a pilot for the 2024/2025 season.
"By implementing these comprehensive measures, the Elora Rocks are committed to ensuring that the sale and consumption of alcohol in the stands are conducted in a safe, controlled, and responsible manner," said the Elora Rocks in a related report. "We believe this initiative will enhance the overall fan experience while maintaining a secure and family-friendly environment."
While supportive of the proposal, councillor Barb Evoy shared concerns about the team and township staff's ability to regulate the two-drink minimum and asked who would be responsible if anything were to go wrong.
"I love the idea, but I am genuinely a little concerned, I'm not going to lie," said Evoy during the meeting. "With the changes in our laws around alcohol becoming available at seven in the morning at our grocery and corner stores, the fact that people might arrive inebriated and then have their two drinks, I'm just a little concerned."
Staff said there is always a risk but that's what the township's Alcohol Risk Management Policy is for.
Although the province currently permits alcohol service in tiered seating, the township's Alcohol Risk Management Policy does not and a report said staff will be consulting with other municipalities and the A.G.C.O. to update the policy.
An updated alcohol policy is anticipated to return to council towards the end of February 2025.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program
