VANCOUVER -- Rogers Arena has been cited for selling liquor to a minor employed as an undercover agent for the B.C. liquor control and licensing branch at a Vancouver Canucks game, according to freedom-of-information documents released to The Vancouver Sun.

The documents include a copy of a contravention notice signed by an inspector alleging that on March 14, 2013, Rogers Arena served a minor alcohol in violation of Section 33.1.A of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act.

An enforcement hearing was conducted into the matter in November, and the adjudicator is expected to render a decision in January, said Terry Rowsell, a spokesman for the branch.

Based on a review of similar infractions for other liquor outlets posted on the branch’s website, the penalty tends to be a $7,500 fine or a 10-day suspension of liquor sales — the latter of which would represent a significant hit to Rogers Arena.

In a written statement, Victor de Bonis, chief operating officer for Canucks Sports and Entertainment, said: “We have been in regular contact with our in-house food and beverage provider Aramark and the liquor branch since this incident to ensure we’ve met all of the branch’s guidelines and wishes. Out of respect for the ruling process, we will not be commenting further while the process is underway.”

The alleged violation comes as Rogers Arena is asking the province to raise the individual serving limit to 40 ounces — the equivalent of two pints — from the current 24 ounces, or two 12-ounce beers. The arena allows wants to allow mobile beer hawkers to serve beer on the concourse levels, allow sales from two hours before the game until two hours after, and allow sales of hard liquor throughout the arena.

Rowsell insisted that the liquor control and licensing branch treats all establishments the same when assessing patrons for intoxication or when considering bringing allegations of non-compliance.

And while most regular fans to Canucks’ games can recount a bad experience with a beer-infused fan, Rowsell explains that the threshold for public intoxication is different than, say, a blood-alcohol limit of .08 for criminal drunk driving.

“A liquor inspector or police officer judges intoxication by following criteria such as slurring words, loss of motor control, heavy odour of alcohol, etc., that demonstrate that the individual is clearly intoxicated,” Rowsell said. “While there may be observed behaviour that demonstrates a loss of inhibitions due to alcohol consumption, this does not necessarily mean a person is intoxicated under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act.”

He added: “Rogers Arena is routinely inspected and has never received a monetary penalty or suspension of its liquor licence.”

The FOI documents describe how the teenage female entered Rogers Arena at 6:45 p.m. with a ticket to the Canucks game against Nashville Predators and soon after met up with two liquor inspectors.

The young agent tried to buy alcohol twice and was asked for identification both times before she approached a “male hawker at gate 115” who sold her a Budweiser at 7:12 p.m. The two inspectors watched from about three metres away where they “had direct line of sight of the minor and the transaction,” the report states.

In Metro Vancouver this year, the liquor control and licensing branch issued 10-day suspensions to: Good Friends Restaurant in Coquitlam, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #289 in Tsawwassen, and the Narrow Restaurant in Vancouver.

Fines of $7,500 went to: Townhall Public House in Langley; Holiday Inn Vancouver airport Hotel in Richmond; Earl’s Restaurant in Richmond; Executive Cold Beer and Wine Store in Richmond; Kingswood Pub Beer, Wine and Liquor Store, Richmond; Scottsdale government liquor store in Delta; Wheelhouse Inn in Surrey; Mr. Mikes Steakhouse & Bar in Surrey; the Dunbar Public House in Vancouver; Guys and Dolls Billiards in Vancouver; Clough Club in Vancouver; Waldorf Hotel in Vancouver; Yagger’s Kits Restaurant & Sports Bar in Vancouver; Locus Cafe in Vancouver; and Village Pub in Vancouver.

lpynn@vancouversun.com