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Burleson council adopts limited alcohol policy for Chisholm Hall Sports Complex over objections
Summary
Council approved an ordinance and a city policy allowing alcohol sales at designated areas of the new Chisholm Hall Sports Complex with restrictions (no alcohol during youth programs and tighter oversight). The ordinance passed 5–2 after council debate; the implementing policy passed unanimously.
The Burleson City Council voted Oct. 20 to permit limited alcohol sales at the new Chisholm Hall Sports Complex under a council‑approved ordinance and an accompanying alcohol policy specifying where and when sales are allowed.
Jen Basham, director of parks and recreation, told council the policy would limit sales to city‑approved designated areas, require general and liquor liability insurance naming the city as additional insured, and prohibit sales during youth leagues, practices, or events where the primary audience is children 12 and under. Basham said the city would conduct spot inspections, require compliance documentation annually and reserve the right to suspend or revoke alcohol privileges for cause. "We would ensure compliance with TABC and our internal city standards," Basham said.
Council debate was robust. Several council members expressed opposition on youth‑safety grounds; one member said organized tournaments sometimes draw large adult crowds and sponsors and that having a regulated sales policy can be safer than unregulated drinking. Public speakers and several council members said tournament revenue and the ability to regulate sales weighed in favor of allowing limited sales under strict rules.
On item 7h (ordinance amending Burleson’s code to permit alcohol sales at Chisholm Hall Sports Complex), council voted 5–2 in favor of the ordinance. On item 7i (adopting the specific alcohol policy and administrative procedures), the council voted to approve the policy unanimously. The adopted policy will be enforced at city discretion and may require security or other event‑specific conditions as needed; staff said costs for security would be a pass‑through to the event host where applicable.
Basham said staff will return with implementation details and any draft event agreements needed to operationalize the policy.
The ordinance and policy include explicit guardrails intended to protect youth participants and give the city the authority to address noncompliance.
