Regents set to re-approve Michigan Stadium liquor license application for NHL Winter Classic
The Winter Classic will be held on Jan. 1, 2014.
Melanie Maxwell| AnnArbor.com file photo
Michigan is once again getting ready to allow beer to flow at Michigan Stadium.
The Michigan Board of Regents is set to vote at its Thursday meeting whether or not to approve an application for a temporary liquor license that would allow beer to be sold at the Jan. 1, 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.
The hockey game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs was originally scheduled for New Year’s Day, 2013, before the NHL lockout pushed it back one year. The lease agreement between Michigan and the NHL was approved by the regents in March.
Beer was scheduled to be served at last year’s event before its cancelation. Last summer, state lawmakers had to pass HB 5611 to allow for a license to be granted at Michigan Stadium after it was discovered that one-day liquor licenses can’t be granted for large events. Regents voted last June to approve the application for that license, which the state then granted.
Liquor sales are normally outlawed at the facility, and school leaders have said they have no intention of changing that policy for university-sanctioned events.
“The fact that there will be liquor served is no problem whatsoever,” said regent S. Martin Taylor said in February of 2012. "This in a non-university event. We are truly just leasing the facilities.”
The regents are also expected to approve the schematic design for the the new field hockey facilities improvement project. The regents approved of the $13.5 million project back in May.
Kyle Austin covers sports for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Jul 15, 2013 : 9:17 p.m.
Hockey is too boring to watch unless you're drunk.
Dog Guy
Mon, Jul 15, 2013 : 8:35 p.m.
It wouldn't be hockey without Labatt, Molson, Kokanee, Sleeman, and Moosehead on the ice; it would be La Fin du Monde . . . the end of the world.
TheInfamousOne
Mon, Jul 15, 2013 : 7:49 p.m.
Let's hope they can clean up all that sticky beer that will get on the cement and seats that people will spill over.
Tom Joad
Mon, Jul 15, 2013 : 6:53 p.m.
I disagree. Why can't they conduct an alcohol-free professional hockey game just one time, especially since this venue doesn't serve alcohol as a matter of course. Selling alcohol to fans on what could potentially be an extremely cold day is irresponsible at best. Alcohol and cold temperatures are a dangerous mix.
WalkingJoe
Mon, Jul 15, 2013 : 10:53 p.m.
Oh, so you'd rather everybody sneak it in like they do on football Saturdays. People are going to drink before, during and after the game whether they sell it at the stadium or not.
Tag
Mon, Jul 15, 2013 : 10:10 p.m.
I suspect part of the lease agreement is that the U will apply for and receive a alcohol permit. In other words it all comes down to the dollars.