You’ll have to act fast if you want to provide input about a local arcade’s plan to serve alcohol.
The City of New Westminster is surveying citizens abut a proposal to allow liquor service at Capital City Arcade at 457 East Columbia St. The city is accepting public comments on the Sapperton business’s rezoning and liquor primary application until Sept. 24.
Anyone wanting to complete the survey can go to www.newwestcity.ca and click on Public Engagement Opportunities under the Be Involved tab.
The city has received an application from Capital City Arcade’s owners to rezone the site to permit the use of an amusement arcade that’s not in a mall, is larger than what’s currently permitted and has reduced restrictions game content. They’re also applying for a 40-seat liquor primary licence so the arcade can sell and serve liquor in the games area.
After conquering a series of bureaucratic hurdles over a four-year period, Brad and Maryann Eyers opened Capital City Arcade in July 2019 – but only temporarily under a temporary use permit. The process that’s now underway would allow them to permanently operate an arcade at the site and would get the city’s support so they can seek a liquor primary licence from the province so they can serve beer and wine.
“All comments regarding these proposals must be submitted by Sept. 24, 2020,” stated a notice from the city. “Provincial consideration of comments relating to the liquor licence application require a name and address to be provided. Written comments will be made publicly available. Petitions will not be considered. A public hearing may be scheduled in the future, if determined by city council.”
Like other businesses in the city, Capital City Arcade was closed in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When it reopened it introduced a number of cleaning, payment and social distancing changes to ensure customers could safely play about 70 classic video games.
