Beer in stands to be met with zero tolerance DEER LAKE KATHERINE HUDSON The Western Star

The dividing section between where beer is and is not allowed in the stands at the Deer Lake arena. — Star photo by Katherine Hudson

Worneta Cramm considers herself a big Red Wings fan. Not only does she try to make all the home games, but she hits the road whenever the players are on the ice away.

An agreement has been reached between the town’s parks and recreation commission and the Red Wings executive to go ahead with the allowance of beer in a selected section of the stands at the Deer Lake arena.

“I haven’t seen a problem with it in other places that we’ve been in,” said Cramm. “I just hope that’ll be the same here. We have our holding seats here, in section E. (The beer) is controlled over in the end where the players come out and where the bar is up in that end as well so that makes sense.  I think they have to feel it out and see how it’s going to be.”
At a meeting Monday night, Coun. Barry Manuel said there will be zero tolerance with these new regulations.

“Any major issues that come up with this, we can do it on a game-by-game basis. If we have a problem with one game, well next game we can say enough is enough no more beer in the stands,” he said.

“It’s going to be part of a growing process,” said Mayor Dean Ball.

The Red Wings have determined the area in the stands where beer will and will not be allowed. Spectators will not be allowed to bring beer back to the seats in sections A through G, the section directly to the left coming through the main entrance to the arena. The rest of the sections, H through O, will be the space provided for beer to be brought into the stands.

Holding seats have already been sold for this year.

“If you have a holding seat in an area which has been designated as dry and you want to take beer to your seat, that might be a little bit difficult for this year. But for next year, that would be designated in advance,” Coun. Sheila Mercer  said.

The room overlooking both the pool and the arena will be held first for parties associated with the facility and no longer used as a second bar for the games.

“The viewing room between the arena and the swimming pool would not be part of that deal. That was sort of the trade-off. They get to sell liquor from the larger room and beer can be brought to the stands. If the room isn’t rented out and they would like to have the second bar, they will now pay $50,” said Mercer.