Arizona to start selling beer and wine at football games

The intention is to begin sales for the regular-season opener against BYU on Sept. 1.

The Arizona Wildcats will begin offering beer and wine at football games starting this fall, UA athletic director Dave Heeke told the media Thursday.

The intention is to begin sales for the regular-season opener against BYU on Sept. 1, Heeke said.

The UA was granted an extension of premises for its existing license by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control on July 24, following inspections by three City of Tucson agencies, per a UA release.

The UA also has a permit to sell beer and wine at McKale Center.

“The UA will contract will a professional, licensed concessionaire experienced in selling and serving alcohol in a highly regulated and controlled environment. There will be a limited number of concession stands with alcohol sales, which will begin 90 minutes before kickoff and conclude before the end of the third quarter,” the UA release said.

“Beer and wine sales are the latest in a series of enhancements Arizona Athletics and the university have made to improve the fan experience, including expanding performances by the Pride of Arizona Marching Band, adding local food vendors and reducing ticket prices for certain sections. Other efforts involve introducing new seating in the ZonaZoo student sections on the stadium’s east side, and several new restroom and concession areas on the lower south side”

The UA handed the media a Q&A sheet that addresses these questions....

Q. Why is the University applying for an Extension of Premises at this time?

We began exploring stadium-wide beer and wine sales at the request of our fans. We are already serving beer in wine in Arizona Stadium to those with club or box access. Our goal is to be able to offer the same experience to those of legal age throughout the stadium.

Q. What steps will the University take to assure drinking is done responsibly?

Alcohol will be served in a highly regulated and controlled environment. We’ll use a professional, licensed concessionaire experienced in selling and serving alcohol; we’ll check IDs to ensure only individuals of legal age are served, and we will have an increased security presence at games. Patrons of legal age will have wristbands.

Q. What types of alcohol will be offered in the stadium?

Beer and wine will be for sale, served only in plastic cups.

Q. Will attendees be able to leave the stadium and re-enter?

The no re-entry policy at Arizona Stadium remains in place.

Q. What has been the experience of other universities when they began stadium-wide alcohol sales?

Universities that have added alcohol sales to the general public have reported no change, or a slight decrease, in alcohol-related misbehavior.

.

from Arizona Desert Swarm - All Posts https://ift.tt/2v9pvob
via IFTTT