.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - The Royal Canadian Legion in Fort Smith has been slapped with a suspension of one of its liquor licences and fined.

However, it was not because of any violation directly involving the sale or consumption of alcohol.

Instead, Branch 239 was punished for making alterations - including safety improvements - to its downstairs clubroom without the required approval of the NWT Liquor Licensing Board.

In a May 4 news release, the board said it took into consideration the fact the building was made safer.

The board noted licensees don't generally seem to be well informed that renovations need to be approved in advance.

"Licensees are ultimately responsible for knowing the contents of the Liquor Act and the Liquor Regulations and how it pertains to them," the news release stated. "No structural alterations or renovations can be performed on a licensed premise without the written approval of the board."

The Fort Smith Legion had the liquor licence for its downstairs clubroom suspended for three days, beginning at 10 a.m. on May 26 and concluding at 10 a.m. on May 29. It was also fined $300.

The downstairs and main-floor clubrooms operate on separate licences.

"We were totally at fault," said Karen Scott, the president of the Fort Smith Legion, adding it accepts the board's decision.

However, she said the Legion had not been aware it had to get board approval for the renovations.

Scott said the suspension and fine should be a wake-up call for other liquor licence holders who may be considering renovations.

The renovations last spring and summer cost about $35,000.

The work included adding an exit door, widening two washroom doors, evening the ceiling, painting, installing new carpeting and replacing wallboard with Gyproc.

Scott said a liquor inspector found out about the renovations when the Legion advertised the improvements.