Jenny Berg

jberg@stcloudtimes.com

Hockey fans looking to drink alcohol during Huskies games this season just might be in luck.

St. Cloud City Council voted 6-1 Monday to approve a special law passed by the Legislature this spring. Councilman Jeff Johnson voted against the resolution.

But before alcohol can be served at games in Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, the City Council must host public hearings on granting the licenses.

The legislation was "quite broad" and does not limit alcohol sales to the hockey center, according to Matt Staehling, city administrator. So under the new law, alcohol could be approved for sale in adjacent facilities such as parking lots or areas near the football field.

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But the university is not looking to expand sales beyond the hockey center at this time, said Jesse Cashman, assistant vice president of safety and risk management at St. Cloud State University.

"I think we would hope to have that opportunity in the future," he said.

The university sold beer inside the hockey center at games on Jan. 1 and Feb. 27 under temporary licenses to test the program.

Johnson said he had concerns about drinking related to garbage and vandalism on the city's south side. Councilwoman Carol Lewis also warned university representatives against serving minors.

Tammy McGee, vice president for finance and administration, said the university's food vendor might be in charge of selling alcohol at games because the vendor's employees are trained in alcohol sales.

"We feel like we did a very good job at managing our alcohol games last year ... and we're going to operate under that same process and understanding this year," Cashman said.

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Cashman said selling alcohol at hockey games is not meant to be a moneymaker or compete with downtown bars.

"It's to improve the fan experience," he said.

If approved at an upcoming meeting, the annual wine and 3.2 percent malt liquor licenses would be $800, with a review and investigation fee of $500.

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