Department: Recreation, Parks & Facilities
Policy No.: RPF 2006 – 05
Subject: Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP)
Approved by Council: RES. NO. 44 Date: April 11, 2006
Revision No.: 1
Authorized Ref.: Res #19 Date: June 5, 2007
Purpose
The purpose of the policy is to provide an optimum number and variety
of both passive and active leisure and cultural opportunities for all
the citizens of the Township of Norwich while protecting and enhancing
the Township of Norwich’s natural heritage. In order to fulfill this
purpose, the Township must provide guidelines for staff and users of
facilities and parks to ensure responsible use of alcohol.
Policy
This policy is designed to provide appropriate, reasonable procedures
and information to individuals or groups wishing to hold licensed
events at Township of Norwich venues.
Objectives
1. To encourage and enforce responsible drinking practices and adherence to the Alcohol and
Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulations.
2. To promote a safe and enjoyable environment for those who use
Township facilities for events involving alcohol service and liability
associated with excessive alcohol use.
3. To provide a balance of opportunities for alcoholic wet/dry
functions in order to ensure that consumers, abstainers, adults, youth
and families will be adequately serviced and protected.
4. To respect the decision of citizens who do not drink alcohol and
to encourage their participation by providing non-alcoholic beverages.
5. To educate event organizers on proper procedures, thus reducing
the number of incidents involving alcohol by the implementation of a
Township of Norwich alcohol policy
6. To develop a Township of Norwich alcohol policy that is easy to read and understand so as to maximize its use and adherence.
Section 1
Conditions for Special Occasion Permits
The responsible person must obtain a Special Occasion Permit (S.O.P)
from the AGCO. The S.O.P. holder must ensure that all the conditions of
the Liquor License Act and the Township of Norwich are adhered to for
the event. The Township of Norwich Council reserves the right to refuse
any applicant permission to run a licensed event on its property and to
impose on the event whatever restrictions it deems appropriate to the
circumstances.
The responsible holder must provide, in writing to the Director of
Recreation Parks and Facilities or Facilities Manager, documentation
providing the following information at least thirty (30) days prior to
the event:
Name, address, postal code and phone number of the responsible person, along with photo identification when necessary;
Proof of insurance in the amount of $2,000,000. naming the Township
of Norwich as a third party under the policy (see section FIVE);
A layout of the licensed area;
The permit holder must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
Director of Recreation Parks and Facilities or designate that there are
sufficient controls in place to prevent under age, intoxicated or rowdy
people from entering the event; and that the intoxicated participants
will be refused services and removed from the event. (as noted in
Appendix One)
The Municipal Alcohol Policy will be available from Township staff at the time of the booking.
If any questions or concerns arise from this policy contact the
Director of Recreation Parks & Facilities or Clerk Administrator for
clarification.
The permit holder or responsible person as indicated on the
application and permit must be in attendance at the event. If however,
in an emergency situation the permit holder/responsible person are
unable to attend, then it is the responsibility of the permit holder to
designate in writing someone to attend the permit event. The designated
person is responsible to ensure that the requirements of the law for the
permit event are complied with.
The designated person must not be someone who has been refused permits by the AGCO.
Renters must understand that prevention of intoxication is
paramount. Controls must be enforced to allow for an enjoyable and safe
atmosphere for all present.
A checklist for renters and a rental contract form will be provided
by the municipality at the time of booking. These forms are to be
completed by the renter and returned to Township staff.
A current list of SIP/Smart Serve trained personnel will be
maintained by the Township staff and may assist with the event, when the
renters do not have the required "SIP/Smart Serve" trained staffing.
Note: There is a staffing cost to the renter, when the Township provide
bar staff.
All event personnel including the permit holder must refrain from alcohol consumption during the event.
All S.O.P. holders are required to adhere to the conditions as outlined in the sections that follow:
Section 2
Municipal Facilities Eligible for Special Occasions Permits
Norwich Arena/Community Centre
Norwich Arena Floor Only (summer season)
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for up to 1,100 people for larger concerts and events. Set up
can accommodate chairs and tables and is completely accessible.
Norwich Arena – South Lobby only
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for 50 – 75 people for private functions only, where the public
is not allowed in the arena facility as a whole. Service can be done
from Snack Bar counter.
Community Centre -The Frew Family Room (1/3)
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for up to 175 people for workshops, meetings and events. Set up
can accommodate chairs and tables; kitchenette/small bar is available
and is completely accessible.
Community Centre - The Norwich Otterville Lions’ Hall (2/3 Room)
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for up to 375 people for larger concerts and events. Set up can
accommodate chairs and tables; full kitchen and separate bar area are
available and facilities are completely accessible.
Community Centre - Full Auditorium
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for up to 550 people for concerts, workshops, events,
receptions, family gatherings, weddings and large meeting. Set up can
accommodate chairs and tables; full kitchen and separate bar area are
available and facilities are completely accessible.
Community Centre - The Optimist Hall, previously Blueline Room (upstairs)
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for 150 to 175 people for receptions, family gatherings and
small meeting. Set up can accommodate chairs and tables; full kitchen
and separate bar area are available and is completely accessible -
lift/elevator available.
Community Centre - The Norwich Musical Society Band Room (upstairs)
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for 25 to 50 people for receptions, family gatherings and small
meeting. Set up can accommodate chairs and tables and is completely
accessible - lift/elevator available.
Oxford Centre Hall
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for up to 175 people for receptions, family gatherings,
weddings and large meetings. Set up can accommodate chairs and tables;
full kitchen and separate bar area are available.
Oxford Centre Seniors/Pioneer Room
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for 50 to 75 people for receptions, family gatherings and small
meeting. Set up can accommodate chairs and tables, kitchenette is
available.
Cornell Hall
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for 50 to 75 people for receptions, family gatherings and small
meeting.
Woodlawn Adult Centre
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events;
suitable for 50 people for small receptions, family gatherings and
meetings.
Parks and Sports Fields
Otterville Park – Picnic Pavilion
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events provided
a designated area is fenced off around the pavilion, suitable for up to
50 people.
Otterville Park Pavilion
(Crystal Palace Design - also known as the canopy by local residents)
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events, suitable for up to 200 people and is wheelchair accessible.
Dillon Park – Norwich
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events provided
a designated area is fenced off around the baseball diamond
area/pavilion, suitable for up to 200 people. (Capacity may increase
when the fenced area is larger and/or specific to tent size)
The Otterville Mill (Picnic Shelter)
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events provided
a designated area is fenced off around the pavilion, suitable for up to
200 people.
Burgessville Sports Park and Pavilion
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events provided
a designated area is fenced off around the pavilion, suitable for up to
200 people. (Capacity may increase when the fenced area is larger
and/or specific to tent size)
Springford Sports Park and Pavilion
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events provided
a designated area is fenced off around the pavilion, suitable for up to
200 people. (Capacity may increase when the fenced area is larger
and/or specific to tent size)
Municipal Parking Lots
Township Office Parking Lot
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events provided
a designated area is fenced off, suitable for up to 200 - 600 people.
Norwich Arena/Community Centre Front Parking Lot
(South side)
This facility is suitable for Special Occasion Permit events provided
a designated area is fenced off, suitable for up to 200 people.
(Capacity may increase when the fenced area is larger and/or specific to
tent size)
Other Township Facilities
All other facilities require written approval from the Township of
Norwich, Clerk/Administrator, and/or Director of Recreation Parks &
Facilities or designate.
Facilities NOT eligible for Special Occasion Permits
The following facilities/locations are not eligible for a Special Occasion Permit:
- Parks and outdoor areas not listed in the MAP policy.
- Arena dressing rooms, ice surface, seating areas
- Pool change rooms/locker rooms
- Horse barn and track
- Exception: Any person wishing to hold a Special
Occasion Permit event in a location not listed on this policy must
appeal to the Township of Norwich Council for approval.
- The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at the
majority of parks, gardens or sports facilities within the Township of
Norwich. The Township of Norwich has a zero tolerance on consumption of
alcohol where proper permits have not been obtained. The Township of
Norwich may change the designation of any site within its jurisdiction
at its discretion.
Section 3
Definitions of Events
Private Event
Private/invitation gatherings that are by invitation only and not
open to the general public. This is noted in the S.O.P. application as a
Reception Permit.
Public Events
Events where the general public will be attending.
Section 4
Controls Prior to Event
The event organizers will provide the Township with a letter stating
that the use of SIP/Smart Serve Program trained personnel who will be
working at the event are being used. The permit holder will ensure that
the bartenders and servers do not serve alcohol to underage, intoxicated
or unauthorized people at the event.
Permit Holder, Event Volunteers/Event Staff must:
Ensure that the bartenders and servers do not serve alcohol to underage, intoxicated or unauthorized people at the event,
Abide by all rule of the Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP),
Attend the event and be sober before and during the event, and
All event personnel must wear identification, so that participants and others such as security and
Township staff can identify them easily.
Take necessary steps, as laid out in this policy, to prevent disorderly behaviour.
Section 5
Controls During Events
Signs
The renter/permit holder will be provided with two (2) signs to post
at the event in a high visibility area, with the following wording:
"It is against the Liquor License Act of Ontario for licensed
establishments to serve customers to intoxication. For this reason,
servers in our facilities are required to obey the law and not serve
anyone to intoxication. We are pleased to offer non-alcoholic
beverages."
The signs will also include the name, address and phone numbers of the Police Department and the
Alcohol and Gaming Commission. Listing this information provides
contact information and/or for those who wish to lodge a complaint about
an event.
Monitors and Identification
Public:
Entrances to Public Events will be monitored by two (2) people
nineteen (19) years of age or older. Acceptable identification will
include:
- Age of majority card,
- Ontario driver's license,
- Passport / Citizenship card,
- Military cards with photo, or
- Drivers license for out of province is acceptable if it includes a photo.
Event workers should wear highly visible identification. Suggestions include shirts, hats, or badges.
Event Organizer(s):
To be eligible for a facility rental for a special occasion
function, the event organizer must demonstrate sufficient event controls
so that patrons will not be put in a situation that could cause harm to
others. The event organizer will ensure that the physical setting is
safe for both drinkers and non-drinkers.
The event organizer will ensure the event is supervised to
encourage legal and moderate drinking behaviour and ensure that any
problems that may arise are dealt with appropriately.
The monitors, bartenders and servers will not consume alcohol while
on duty. If in the opinion of the S.O.P. signatory, someone is not
capable of performing his/her duties or is intoxicated, the individual
will be removed immediately from his/her duties.
The event organizers will be responsible for requesting additional
assistance should it become necessary during the event, from the
appropriate Township of Norwich staff, security officers or Police.
The S.O.P. signatory, or designate, must attend the event and be
responsible for making decisions regarding operation of the event.
The Township of Norwich reserves the right to require the presence
of police officer(s) for the duration of an event. The cost is to be
borne by the sponsoring group or individual.
The Township of Norwich reserves the right to require an "Event Deposit". This amount is to be set out in the user agreement.
Private:
The Township of Norwich encourages the permit holder to monitor
their event in a responsible manner. The use of Smart Serve Program
trained bartenders is required and that the guidelines established for
public events be used as a suggested means of monitoring the event.
The permit holder will be responsible for requesting additional
assistance should it become necessary during the event from the
appropriate Township of Norwich staff, security officers or Police.
The Township of Norwich reserves the right to require the presence
of police officer(s) for the duration of an event. The cost is to be
borne by the sponsoring group or individual.
Staffing Requirements
The following are the guidelines to be followed for minimum numbers
of SIP/Smart Serve trained and untrained staff for public and private
events.
|
Public Events: 50-100 people
|
Location
|
# SIP/Smart Serve
Trained Staff
|
# Untrained Staff
|
|
Door
|
0
|
1
|
|
Bar
|
1
|
-
|
|
Bar Tickets
|
1
|
-
|
|
Floor Monitor
|
No Monitor Required
|
No Monitor Required
|