Alcohol Consumption Policy
Consequences of Illegal Consumption
Adult participation in team sport activities has increased significantly in North Vancouver during the last few years. Unfortunately, there has also been an associated increase in alcohol consumption on or around sports fields. Fields users should be aware of the consequences of disobeying liquor consumption laws, and that each league and its teams are responsible for the actions of their spectators.
Sports fields, bleachers, parking lots and change rooms are public places, and fall under the jurisdiction of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act. Drinking in a public place is a summary conviction offense under the Act, which states:
"Except in the case of liquor purchased and consumed in accordance with a license under this Act permitting consumption in a public place, no person shall consume liquor in a public place."
The North Vancouver Recreation Commission, in partnership with the City, District, School District and RCMP, have agreed on the following procedures for dealing with groups that jeopardize the tranquility of our local neighbourhoods by disregarding the law or the Terms and Regulations of the Field Use Permit. The RCMP patrol North Vancouver parks by bicycle and have acted whenever they encounter illegal alcohol consumption.
Please review the disciplinary procedures and additional concerns listed below, and call us at 604-983-6317 if you have any comments or questions. We will be happy to talk with you.
Disciplinary Procedures
Failing to control alcohol use during your league's activities could expose your directors to the risk of personal liability. Consider adding all of the following consequences of illegal alcohol consumption to your league's rules or constitution.
These procedures may apply to ANY infraction of the Field Use Permit (including alcohol consumption, noise, parking and litter violations). Although these measures do not cover every possible situation, they can be used as guidelines for establishing basic disciplinary standards to control unacceptable behaviour.
- First verified incident. The league President will be called and some form of discipline will be expected (such as a fine or suspension of an individual or a team by the league).
- Second verified incident. If the same league is involved with a second violation, the offending team will be suspended for a minimum of three games.
- Third verified incident. A third contravention by the same league will result in the suspension of the offending team from the league for the season (whether or not this is the first offense by that particular team).
- Fourth verified incident. A fourth infraction by the same league will result in the suspension of all field use privileges for the league.
- Immediate suspension. A team may be suspended for the balance of the season at any time if they are responsible for two infractions, or if the circumstances of an infraction warrant suspension.
At any time during the disciplinary process, the league, staff, and offending team(s) or individual(s) can request a meeting to clarify outcomes or appeal decisions.
Additional Concerns
Any one of the following problems can upset neighbours. The School Board, in particular, has a very low tolerance for complaints and has restricted access to playing fields where problems have occurred.
- Excessive noise, especially after games
- Inappropriate parking on streets and cul-de-sacs (instead of using school parking lots)
- Garbage (most schools do not leave garbage containers out after school hours)
- Using parks as toilet facilities.
