Woodbury Council Mulls Alcohol for Bielenberg Sports Center Restaurant

Want to sit down at the Bielenberg Sports Center and have a bloody Mary on a weekend morning?

The Woodbury City Council examined Wednesday plans for a new restaurant as part of the Bielenberg Sports Center expansion project, and alcohol sales were big part of the discussion.

Greg Gartner, whose company is heading up food service at the new facility, said he plans to apply for a full liquor license.

Related: New Restaurant at Bielenberg: Woodbury Council Gets First Look

Councilwoman Julie Ohs expressed concerns about having alcohol sales at a facility where children are the primary patrons.

“It gets a little tricky,” she said.

Gartner said there would be some sort of divider, possibly a railing, keeping the restaurant area separate from viewing spots on the second floor of the new lobby, where the restaurant will be sited. Restaurant staff would also monitor patrons so nobody leaves the second floor with alcohol, he said.

While the hours of the restaurant would be expanded (nothing is firm at this point) if alcohol were available, the plan isn’t for the new restaurant to become a late-night hotspot, Gartner said.

“The idea would not be closing at 2 (a.m.),” he said.

The decision whether to allow alcohol sales would also impact the lease terms for the site. See “rent” below.

Increased Hours of Operation

Decreased Hours of Operation

First-floor snack shop

Est. activity: $200,000 with splashpad

Est. activity: $175,000 without splashpad

7 years, 5-year exclusive tenant renewal option, and 5-year mutual renewal option

12% in gross sales; 10% after $1 million in gross sales

10% in gross sales

While Councilwoman Amy Scoggins said she’s “not totally excited” about the idea of serving alcohol at the sports center, she was leaning toward option No. 1.

Ohs said she is fine with the idea, as long as it’s clear the sales would be confined to the second floor.

Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens said she, too, is OK with serving alcohol, so long as safeguards are in place.

Councilman Christopher Burns said he’s “not quite there” regarding alcohol sales.

Councilman Paul Rebholz was absent, but City Administrator Clint Gridley relayed his thoughts at the meeting. Rebholz is not a fan of liquor sales, but might be fine with a temporary beer and wine license for special events, Gridley reported.

City staff, meanwhile, favors the first option:

“...which maximizes the food and beverage opportunity. Moreover, this scenario can enhance our field and ice rental competiveness,” according to a council memo. “Lastly, this type of arrangement has many precedents with other public recreation facilities across the nation, airports, etc.”

The council’s input will refine the plans, which will come before the body at a future meeting, Gridley said.

Wednesday’s council meeting was a workshop, meaning no formal action was taken.

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