Deputy mayor questions selling liquor in Victoria Park

Charlottetown’s deputy mayor says the city is being inconsistent when it comes to granting approval to sell alcohol in Victoria Park.

Coun. Mike Duffy raised the issue during Monday’s council meeting and voted against a resolution, which ultimately passed 8-1, allowing Red Island Hospitality Group to operate a food and beverage tent at Memorial Field during the National Oldtimers Baseball Championship this summer.

Duffy noted council agreed unanimously last year that no liquor could be served at the nearby bandstand in Victoria Park.

“We seem very eager to prohibit the sale of alcohol at the bandstand,” said Duffy, later adding, “(then) we give one group permission to sell alcohol…Therein lies the inconsistency.”

Coun. Mitch Tweel, who chairs the parks and recreation committee, disagreed with Duffy.

Tweel said permission was granted to sell alcohol when the event was previously hosted in Victoria Park in 2012.

“There were absolutely no concerns… the organizing committee for Old-Timers Baseball are very, very responsible,” Tweel said to media following the meeting, adding that department staff, city police and the fire department all gave their approval for the request.

The resolution was one of more than 40 council voted on during last night’s meeting.

Duffy said his issue wasn’t with the group requesting approval and noted his own volunteerism in the sport of baseball.

“It’s not about how old you are or how responsible you are,” said Duffy, re-stating his issue was the inconsistency that one venue can never serve alcohol while a nearby venue in the same park can.

Coun. Terry Bernard also spoke in support of the resolution and said it would be sold and consumed in a contained tent.

“So, they can’t roll around wherever they want to go, it’s within the tent where the alcohol is served and where the alcohol can be drank,” said Bernard.

Tweel said once the resolution is passed, the applicant also must receive a permit from the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission.

The tournament is being held Aug. 2-6.