Owners Of Sports Complex In Chester County Want To Be Able To Sell Beer, Some Residents Say No
By Todd Quinones
WEST BRADFORD Twp., PA., (CBS) -- A booze battle in Chester County.
The question that is front and center -- should alcohol be served at the same place where kids are playing sports?
The controversy is heating up at the United Sports Training Center in West Bradford Township.
The people who run the facility argue if you can buy alcohol at a bowling alley, golf course or even an amusement park where there are a lot of kids, you should be able to buy beer at the sports complex.
As the only indoor/outdoor sports complex in the area, United Sports Training Center is a popular spot. Now the owners want to be able to sell beer and they need the township's permission to do it.
But some West Bradford Township residents aren't too happy about the idea.
They say the fields are often packed with kids playing sports.
"You have problems with parents who holler at the referees and stuff like that. It's bad as it is. Throw alcohol into the mix and it's going to get worse," resident Todd Brade said.
"If the adults want to have their alcohol, let them go support the local diners, or the local bars or the local taverns, not here," resident Lisa VanHouten said.
John Wack is with Eastern Sports Management which runs the facility and two others like it in Virginia that do sell beer.
He claims in 10 years there hasn't been any problems related to the sale of alcohol.
"In youth sports in this country people get heated without alcohol, and we have had to manage those situations and there was no alcohol involved," Wack said.
Wack argues he isn't looking to start a bar, but rather he wants to cater to adults who primarily play in sports leagues and are looking to grab a beer after their game.
He says his two children play sports in the facilities in Virginia.
"I've seen how the service of beer can be managed in a facility like this for the safety of everybody," Wack said.
Wack says he doesn't want to sell hard alcohol or wine, just beer only.
There was no vote Tuesday night. The hearing will continue next month.
What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below.
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