On Monday night, Moose Jaw City Council approved a permit to allow the Moose Jaw Mustangs junior lacrosse team to sell alcohol at their home games at the Kinsmen Sportsplex.  

The permit would include all home games and the Junior Lacrosse Provincial Championship from July 5 to 9.  

The Kinsmen Sportsplex is considered a discretionary use site for alcohol-use events, so it is subject to city council approval.  

As owners of the arena, the city can dictate where the licensed serving area would be located in the arena.  

“After reviewing the request, we do recommend that alcohol sales and consumption be limited to that southwest corner, just to be out of the sight of patrons and any young families that'll be using the pool and any other facility amenities,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Derek Blais.  

The application said the area would be fenced off at the penalty box so that the serving area would be limited to one section of the bleachers. 

This is the first year that Moose Jaw has a junior team in the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League after a 10-year absence. The team includes players up to 22 years old and Blais made a comparison to the Miller Express, who also have a liquor permit for Ross Wells Park.  

Blais added that other teams in the league also permit alcohol during their games.  

“The report does state that Prince Albert and Swift Current have been approved for permits, so we could also add Saskatoon to that list as we heard back from them late last week. They also allow it," Blais said.   

“Regina does not offer alcohol sales, but they did indicate that if ever the team were to apply for it, it's something they would likely approve.”  

The permit is subject to the Mustangs receiving an alcohol permit from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority and would have to follow SLGA guidelines.  

The funds raised from the alcohol sales will go towards helping the team with travel expenses.