EDITORIAL – Drinkers need to behave themselves at the hockey rink

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

IS IT REALLY NECESSARY to suck back booze in order to enjoy a hockey game?

On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong, is there, in having a brewsky or two while cheering on the Blazers?

Well, the problem is, some people take a mile when they’re given an inch.

A report coming to a committee of Kamloops City council takes a look at the issue of drinking at Sandman Centre and, clearly, there’s work to be done.

The review comes as a result of an amendment to a motion by Coun. Bill Sarai in December that directed staff to report back on the quality of food services at city facilities.

Coun. Stephen Karpuk asked for, and got, an addition to the motion — an examination of alcohol, saying he’d noticed a lot of consumption at Blazer games. The staff report indicates he wasn’t imagining it.

Fans at Blazer games and other events at Sandman Centre are leaving their empty liquor bottles outside the arena. Either they’re getting lubricated before they go inside, or during intermission when they go outside for a smoke break.

“Some of these fans may never even purchase a drink while inside,” says the report.

Either way, it’s not supposed to happen. As a result, stronger security is being looked at, including checking bags and purses as fans enter the building to stop them from smuggling in their own booze.

And, more security in the lounges to make sure no one’s overdoing it. In addition, a policy of no “in-or-out privileges” may be put in place.

It’s a shame this should be an issue at all. Mixing beer and hockey has been a thing at the Sandman Centre for many years now and there’s nothing much wrong with it in principle. In Canada, the two seem to go together.

But, as with so many things, some people take it too far and put the privilege at risk for the rest.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops, alternate TNRD director and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.