UA to get OK to sell alcohol at stadium

Beer, wine to be served indoors

The state agency that regulates alcohol sales will approve a permit application to sell beer and wine in indoor areas of the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, said Michael Langley, director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division's administrative division.

"We didn't have any objections. We didn't have any comments to the contrary, so it will go through," Langley said.

Final approval is expected to take place during the agency's board meeting today in Little Rock, he said.

The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville announced in February plans for limited sales in the stadium's indoor "club" areas, beginning with the fall football season. Sales will be open to approximately 9,000 fans in such areas, as well as for people watching the game from suites.

Fans purchasing alcohol won't be allowed to take their drinks to any outside seating areas, even though club seating options include some outdoor seats. The stadium seats 72,000 fans.

Sodexo, the company that handles concession sales for UA athletics, submitted the permit application April 25. Letters were sent giving notice of the application to Fayetteville authorities. A public notice was also posted outside the stadium, and a legal notice was published.

Langley said he made the recommendation for approval after a review of Sodexo's proposal.

"They've already taken the proactive steps of wanting to work with ABC enforcement in regards to training," Langley said.

In addition to ensuring IDs are checked to avoid selling alcohol to underage patrons, Sodexo has set up alcohol sales so "the youngsters won't be around the adults," Langley said.

The permit application submitted by Sodexo included a map showing 13 stadium locations where beer and wine would be sold. Kevin Trainor, UA's associate athletic director for public relations, wrote in an email that no final decisions have been made about what specific products will be sold or pricing.

Sodexo will pay the university 40 percent of the net sales of alcoholic beverages, according to documents submitted with the permit application. The application asked to sell alcohol at a "large meeting or attendance facility" and also sought an "off premises caterer's permit." Sodexo wants to provide catering to suite holders "as well as other locations on campus as requested by the University."

In announcing plans for limited alcohol sales, the university stated its plans are consistent with Southeastern Conference policies, which prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages in public areas.

Selling alcohol at athletic events has become more widely discussed nationally, however, with the University of Texas at Austin this year trying alcohol sales at sporting events -- though it hasn't been decided if alcohol will be sold throughout the university's football stadium this fall.

No detailed discussion about expanded alcohol sales in the SEC took place at the conference's spring meeting in May, according to published reports.

Langley said if there were ever plans to expand alcohol sales at the UA stadium, Sodexo could submit an expansion request. This would not lead to new public notices, but "we wouldn't just rubber stamp it," Langley said. Local law enforcement authorities would be notified and the agency would review Sodexo's plans for controlling access to alcohol, he said.

Arkansas on 06/18/2014

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