JANESVILLE 鈥 The city of Janesville is advancing plans to allow alcohol sales at the soon to open Woodman鈥檚 Sports & Convention Center, with a series of approvals and an ordinance change permitting that event amenity.
Shelly Slapack, the city鈥檚 recreation director, said the ability to sell alcohol will enhance the Woodman鈥檚 Center鈥檚 appeal for hosting a variety of events, from sports tournaments and trade shows to banquets and conventions. She said it also aligns with industry standards for similar multi-use venues.
On Monday, the Janesville City Council held a public hearing and then unanimously approved an ordinance change which amends Janesville鈥檚 alcohol licensing laws to formally allow alcohol sales and consumption at the Woodman鈥檚 Center. The ordinance change also extends the same allowance to current and future city-owned venues such as coliseums and airport event spaces, that are state-licensed to serve alcohol.
The amendment clarifies several definitions in the city鈥檚 ordinance, including the term 鈥渓essee,鈥 to ensure that contracted operators like Sports Facilities Food and Beverage Wisconsin, that will manage beverage sales at the Woodman鈥檚 Center, are covered under public facility alcohol licensing provisions.
The ordinance change also adds the Woodman鈥檚 Center to the list of exceptions to the city鈥檚 general prohibition on alcohol consumption on public property. Other existing sites with exceptions include certain parks, golf courses, the Dawson Softball Complex, Rotary Botanical Gardens, and the Lincoln-Tallman House.
The city Alcohol License Advisory Committee reviewed and supported the changes earlier this month.
No public comments were made during the hearing.
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