Ontario to allow BYOB at tailgate parties

Thestar.com
April 9, 2019
Rob Ferguson

Will you BYOB to MLSE?

The looming legalization of American-style tailgate parties at Ontario sports venues -- such as Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s BMO Field for football and soccer -- got a mixed reaction Monday and raised questions about how well the tradition will translate as it comes across the border.

The Ford government will allow people to bring their own booze to tailgate parties at parking lots outside of sports venues.

With Ontario government officials confirming Thursday’s budget from Finance Minister Vic Fedeli will pave the way for fans to bring their own beer to party in the parking lot, opposition parties branded the measure a “distraction” from Premier Doug Ford’s political woes over increasing class sizes in schools and changes in funding for children with autism.

“I have no trouble with people enjoying tailgating,” said Green Leader Mike Schreiner. “What I’m more worried about is what this may say about what’s going to be in the budget on Thursday.

“It seems like whenever this government is ready to deliver bad news, they liberate something around alcohol.”

The move comes as the Ford government prepares to put beer and wine in convenience stores, big box stores and more supermarkets in a further liberalization of the province’s liquor laws that has allowed longer hours for LCBO and Beer Stores.

Fedeli’s budget will also unveil new transit projects and funding; a change to the provincial trillium logo: a new “open for business” slogan on commercial vehicle licences plate; and a replacement for the long-standing “Yours to Discover” catchphrase on passenger vehicle licence plates.

Government House Leader Todd Smith defended the regulatory change to allow tailgating, saying it’s time to “treat adults like adults” and allow teams to decide if their fans are game.

“You go to any American city now and you can participate in a good, old-fashioned tailgate. It’s a lot of fun. People behave responsibly. We believe Ontario is ready for this,” Smith told reporters Monday.

“It’s going to be up to individual teams and whether they want to partake in this type of festivity. Certainly, there are those who will, there are those who won’t.”

Tailgating is hugely popular in the U.S., more so at suburban stadiums with expansive parking lots, where sports fans pack coolers, lawn chairs and barbecues into their cars and trucks, share a few beers and throw a ball around before heading into the stadium for the opening kickoff or the first pitch.

There is a prolific tailgating scene at Buffalo Bills games in Orchard Park south of Buffalo, for example, but in Detroit there is much less tailgating now that the Detroit Lions have moved to the downtown Ford Field from their former home at the Silverdome in Pontiac.

The owners of the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Redblacks are interested, but looking for feedback given their stadium complex is tucked into a mainly residential area.

“We welcome any opportunity to add to the fan experience and tailgating certainly does that so we’re very supportive of the idea,” said president and chief executive Mark Goudie of Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group.

“What that means for our sports teams at TD Place is to be determined, since we don’t have a surface parking lot, but we’ll look into our options and we encourage fans to let us know their thoughts about tailgating on social media.”

The Redblacks website notes game tickets purchased in advance include public transit fare “with direct routes right to the stadium. Free park and shuttle options are also available from places across the nation’s capital.”

A spokesman for MLSE, which owns the CFL Argonauts and soccer’s TFC in addition to the Maple Leafs and Raptors, said the better venue for tailgating is likely at BMO Field on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, because of the parking lots there.

“We will be consulting with both levels of government, and the local services that would be responsible for implementing the changes, to determine how best to apply to our facilities and events with the best possible experience for all fans in mind,” added Dave Haggith, senior director of communications.

“We look forward to working closely with all involved.”

The Argos have already held tailgate parties in a nearby parking lot where the team sells beer and food, as is now permitted, and MLSE will have a beer tent in Maple Leaf Square beside Scotiabank Centre arena Thursday night for an outdoor viewing party as the Leafs face off against the Boston Bruins in the first game of their playoff series.

Teams deciding to foster tailgate parties will likely have to put on additional security measures to police drunkenness, impaired driving and underage drinking, along with facilities like portable toilets and garbage cleanup after games, said Brian Patterson of the Ontario Safety League.

Patterson said he doesn’t think tailgating will be “reckless” but added “it’s not high on my list of priorities for road safety in 2019.”

The premier’s office said the change to permit tailgating can be done by amending the province’s alcohol regulations and would not require legislation, as would any measures, for example, to allow consumption of alcohol in parks.