Town council has been asked to increase liquor store hours to 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

regular meeting

La Ronge council to consider liquor store hours increase request from Lakeside Spirits

Mar 28, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Patrick Campling, the majority owner of Lakeside Spirits, has requested town council to amend a bylaw to allow liquor retail stores to be open longer hours.

Under the Sale, Distribution, and Consumption of Beverage Alcohol and Cannabis Bylaw, liquor retail stores are permitted to remain open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays and statutory holidays.

Campling would like to see the hours expanded to 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. for all seven days of the week regardless of holidays. larongeNOW reached out to Campling, who was unavailable to provide an interview.

Town council will discuss the matter at a regular meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Administration is expected to ask council members if they wish to repeal the bylaw, consider granting the bylaw amendment request as presented or if they want to amend the other hours of operation in the bylaw.

If council is willing to consider any change or repeal of the bylaw, they will also be asked if they want to undertake any community consultation from the Community Alcohol Management Program, commercial liquor providers, cannabis retailers and the general public.

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The Sale, Distribution, and Consumption of Beverage Alcohol and Cannabis Bylaw was introduced in December 2018 as part of a community alcohol management strategy. The bylaw’s primary focus is to restrict hours of operation for various commercial operations involving cannabis and liquor beyond the provisions of provincial legislation.

The SLGA liquor permit for La Ronge was sold in auction on Feb. 23 for $3.27 million, which was the highest amount paid during the provincial government’s liquor permit sell off. The Town of La Ronge entered the auction with plans to spend up to $2.5 million – $1.5 million in the auction – but were ultimately outbid by Lakeside Spirits.

Other business during Tuesday’s council meeting include requests for decision on the Recreation Centre Project Charter, Community Grant Policy and Targeted Sector Support Initiative.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno