By paNOW Staff

Dionne says city has ‘no input’ on new liquor store permit

Sep 9, 2018 | 10:08 AM

In the wake of news earlier this week that Lake Country Co-op is moving into the liquor retail game in Prince Albert, Mayor Greg Dionne maintains this is out of the city’s control.

The cooperative has applied to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) for a Retail Store Stand-Alone permit to sell alcohol at their Marquis Road location at 3600 Fifth Ave. E. It currently hosts a gas bar and convenience store.

As the land is already zoned to accommodate retail and commercial space, this negates a need for the project to come before city council for rezoning.

Though the city has passed legislation barring additional liquor permits within its borders, the mayor said since the Co-op purchased an existing private licence, “we have no say or input.”

“It goes through the liquor commission and not us,” he told paNOW, noting the city has asked the province how many licenses are available in Prince Albert, as “the two that changed hands, we didn’t even know were in existence.”

TheatreFest 2024

TheatreFest wraps up in Battlefords with night of winners

7h ago

Court proceedings

'I didn't know there was a body in there': witness testifies at Prince Albert murder trial

9h ago

COOKIES FOR CATS!

Don't forget to smile as you buy a cookie for the P.A. SPCA

10h ago

He went on to reiterate how the city will stand by its move to not offer any new private liquor permits in the city.

Currently, there are two provincial liquor board stores and three off-sale drive-thru locations in Prince Albert. In February, municipal lawmakers voted to ban any new drive-thru liquor stores in the city.

The move to liquor retail is the latest growth opportunity for Lake Country Co-op following last week’s announcement of a partnership with Dairy Queen at their gas bar in Shellbrook.

— With files from Glenn Hicks

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow