Wellesley backs liquor request

The taps will continue to flow at Wellesley Applejacks’ home games, and now also at their secondary events, courtesy of a liquor license application and catering endorsement approved last week by the township.

Wellesley councillors gave the go-ahead for the junior hockey organization to run a Blue-Line Club licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Councillors also approved a request for a catering endorsement, which would allow the Jacks to serve the suds at other events, such as parties and dances, beyond just their games, like a catering service.

Opposing the request, however, was Coun. Shelley Wagner, who suggested a potentially volatile combination.

“I’ve never been in favour of alcohol being in the arenas, and I’m certainly not in favour of them having a open permit to have alcohol whenever they choose,” said Coun. Wagner.

“I just don’t think alcohol mix. You can have a lot of problems in hockey without alcohol.”

The liquor license would allow the Jacks to serve at the arena at will, without the need to apply for a special occasion permit for every home game. The permit provides one-time approval to serve alcohol.

The Jacks were also seeking the catering endorsement, said township staff, so they could serve alcohol at various fundraisers for the team without applying for a special occasion permit.