Game On liquor licence wins council support

Sparwood council supported a liquor licence application for Game On: Indoor Playground, Bowling and Rec Room after a short public hearing held before the June 2 regular council meeting.

Council voted during the regular meeting to recommend support for the application to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.

The public hearing opened at 6 p.m. and focused on whether council should provide feedback on the liquor licence application submitted by Game On. Director of Corporate Services Megan Rawles said the applicant had advised that although the licence applied for was liquor primary, liquor service would be secondary to the recreation business.

Rawles described Game On as a family-oriented facility with bowling, children’s indoor play areas, arcade games, laser tag, mini golf, pool tables and party rooms.

“The stated intent is to provide a controlled recreational environment focused on families and physical activity with liquor service secondary to those uses,” said Rawles.

She said proposed liquor service hours would range from late morning or noon through evening, with earlier closing on Sundays.

Richard Bell, co-owner of Game On with his wife Angelina, told council the application had been in progress for a little more than a year. He said the business had previously considered a food primary model but still had work to do in the kitchen.

Bell said alcohol service fits with bowling and other activities, but said the business had no intention of over-serving customers or shifting away from its family focus.

“You don’t go to a bowling alley, especially ours with the indoor playground and the family nature of our business. to over serve or anything like that,” said Bell.

Bell said the business wanted to offer alcohol to customers while they take part in activities such as bowling, the golf simulator and pool. He said there were no plans for off sales or secondary liquor sales.

He also said the business has an outfitted commercial kitchen and hopes to begin serving food by the fall or winter.

“And then it will lean towards more food primary where you can order your food and maybe some drinks to go along with your activities,” said Bell.

During the public hearing, Laura Cunliffe spoke in favour of the application. She said her grandchildren enjoy visiting the facility and that liquor service could help attract more people.

“I think it’s a great idea for them to be able to serve liquor up there. It’s going to bring in more people up there,” said Cunliffe.

George Klomack also spoke in support. He said the building had a long history of liquor service when it operated as a bowling alley and pub, including under previous names such as Nick’s Pub, Mickey’s Pub and Flapjack’s.

“There’s been liquor there before, and there hasn’t been problems. So, they okayed it then, and hopefully they’ll okay it now,” said Klomack.

No online comments were submitted during the hearing.

After the hearing closed, the matter returned during the regular council meeting. Rawles said council’s comments could address noise, community impact, public opinion and whether council supported or opposed the application.

She said if council supported the application, the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch would retain discretion to issue the licence. If council did not support it, the licence could not be issued.

Councillor Steve Kallies said he would support the application and thanked the proponent for returning after the May 19 meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum.

“I will be supporting this,” said Kallies.

Council voted in favour of recommending support for the application.

The final decision on the liquor licence remains with the provincial regulator.