Park commission approves ongoing alcohol sales at UW–Stevens Point home games with annual reporting

The Stevens Point Board of Park Commissioners voted June 3 to allow ongoing alcohol sales at University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point home football and hockey games, with staff review and an annual report of sales and incidents to the board.

Brad Duckworth, athletic director for the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point Athletics, told the commission the university ran a one‑year trial and reported “we had 0 alcohol related incidents last year.” He said the program generated roughly $3,000 that was returned to the city during the trial and that beer was sold at a $7 price point. Duckworth described wristbanding and trained servers, a cutoff for sales at the end of the third quarter for football and the end of the second period for hockey, and campus security protocols and student stewards to reduce risk.

Staff framed the request as a move away from an annual exemption process: if the board approved ongoing permission, UW–Stevens Point would not need to return each year for the same waiver, although the board or common council could later rescind or change the approval. The motion approved by voice vote requires annual staff review and an annual report that mirrors the data provided in the packet.

Commissioners asked for clarifications: one sought the board’s definition of an "incident" and whether fake IDs, fights or arrests would be recorded. Duckworth said the program recorded no fake IDs and described one patron who appeared intoxicated; staff followed protocol and that person did not purchase alcohol. Commissioners also discussed limits on how many purchases a single patron could make to discourage bulk buying for a section; Duckworth said the university would revisit purchase‑limit rules.

Staff reported operational benefits: the beer‑ticketed station behind the north end zone and the university’s aisle cleanup reduced cans and debris in the seating areas, and the university offsets wages for city employees assigned to games under the contractual arrangement. A meeting participant urged keeping nonalcoholic (NA) beer as an option; Duckworth said demand was low and the university plans to sell a branded Pointer beer next season.

The motion, read by staff, authorized ongoing approval of alcohol sales in Gehrke Park by UW–Stevens Point Athletics, with annual staff review and an annual report to the Park Commission on total sales and incidents. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote; no opposing votes were recorded. Staff and commissioners noted the board or staff may bring the item back if incidents increase or concerns arise.

Next steps: staff will receive the annual reports described in the motion and the university will proceed under the existing protocols. The commission can revisit the authorization if new problems emerge.