‘No interest in being teetotallers’: Smiths Falls cancels liquor licence for memorial centre

LAURIE WEIR

Town council has voted unanimously to cancel the liquor licence at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre, following a request from the Parks and Recreation Department’s director in October.

Director Stephanie Clark said the decision came after a review of the licence’s long-term value to the facility, which has been used to serve alcohol at various events.

“By no means are we a temperance society,” Clark said. “We have no interest in being teetotallers, but we would like to sanction alcohol in the facility.”

Clark’s report, presented to council last month, led to a vote in favour of the cancellation during the regular council meeting on Monday, Nov. 4.

The Town has held the liquor licence to allow staff to operate a bar at community events, but recent shifts in event programming and a better understanding of associated risks prompted the review.

“The Memorial Community Centre is evolving into a hub for safe, inclusive, and alcohol-free activities, which better aligns with our current programming priorities,” Clark said. “It’s important to note that this does not preclude others from hosting events with alcohol, nor does it prevent the Town from doing so.”

Clark added that the cancellation is intended to limit the town’s liability and shift responsibility for alcohol-related risks to user groups.

“The rationale for this is that we are required to come to the board (council) to cancel a liquor licence,” she said.

Although Clark only had discussions with user groups after the decision, she said they have since come forward with plans to host a bar at certain events using a catering licence.

“We’re working through a process where we are looking to have a user group host a bar at a number of their home games, so they’re just using a catering licence, which doesn’t entirely remove the risk from the Town, but it certainly mitigates it significantly,” Clark said.

The costs of maintaining the liquor licence, including staff training, insurance, and wages, also factored into the decision. By cancelling the licence, Clark said, the Town can reallocate resources to other priorities, such as facility upgrades and new programming.

“The ongoing expenses associated with maintaining the liquor licence can be better used elsewhere to support the community,” Clark noted in her report.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has advised that continuing the licence could expose the Town to additional legal liabilities, particularly with unsanctioned alcohol consumption.

Clark explained that the AGCO’s advice on this matter prompted the decision to limit the Town’s exposure to liability.

When asked about future events by Coun. Jennifer Miller, Coun. Peter McKenna (who sits on the Old Home Week committee) said that the decision would not prevent special events, such as theirs, from hosting their licensed events.

“The user groups can still host their events where alcohol will be served,” McKenna said.

Coun. Jay Brennan also saw potential in the change, suggesting it could allow user groups to generate revenue. However, he emphasized the need to upgrade the kitchen and bar areas, noting that the current facilities were “old and tired.”

“It’s a nice space, but it could be made more attractive,” Brennan said.

Mayor Shawn Pankow supported the decision, describing it as a prudent move to protect the town’s interests.

“It doesn’t limit anybody’s ability to get a special occasion’s permit if they want to run activities there,” the mayor said, “but it takes the burden and the potential risk off of us.”