Delta council recently endorsed an application by the Tsawwassen Legion to change its liquor licence from liquor primary club to liquor primary to allow the general public to be served in the establishment.
The request will now head to the province’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for approval.
According to a report to council, the Royal Canadian Legion Tsawwassen Branch No. 289, located in the Century Square commercial complex on 56 Street, has a licence that currently restricts the service area to registered members and guests only.
“Increasing costs of operation have led to the request to change liquor licence type to permit the general public into the service area to increase revenues to help meet the financial commitments while maintaining the presence of the legion in the community,” the report notes.
The change of licence would allow the premises to more broadly permit the general public as patrons of the establishment, which has a current occupancy of 108 seats inside and 28 on an outside patio.
The report also notes that no changes to the premises, occupant load, hours of service or parking are proposed “at this time”.
Noting the proposed revised licence is consistent with the site’s designation in the Official Community Plan, the report adds that the city has received no complaints about the operation regarding noise, disturbance or parking.
“The site is not within close proximity to significant residential areas. The proposal is consistent with the existing use and business operations. Staff do not expect the change to create any new impacts on the surrounding community,” the report notes.
In the summer of 2022, city council gave the branch another boost by approving an application to amend the liquor licence to make the temporary seasonal outdoor patio permanent.
The Legion since the mid-1990s has been leasing space in Century Square, owned by Century Group.
The membership got some good news earlier this year that the Legion was able to negotiate a new three-year lease with the company.
