The Managing Director At Western Canada Theatre is hoping to have a liquor licence in place at Sagebrush Theatre by April.

Speaking on NL Newsday after city council supported the application this week, Evan Klassen says that would meaning being able to serve alcohol to theatre goers during their busiest time of the year.

“So sort of April through June, that encompasses a lot of community performances, a lot of our dance schools are there, lots of people are coming through the doors in those months,” he said. “It has already been about four or five months between the first initial application both to the city and to the province.”

Klassen noted that city council support bodes well for them as they await provincial approval from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).

“The LCRB regulates liquor licences and so they look to our local government for their support of the effort. It allows the provincial authority to actually move forward with the application,” Klassen noted.

“We’ve been hearing for years from patrons that they really appreciate being able to have a glass of beer, wine, spirits as they move into the theatre. We wanted to make it happen.”

Currently, patrons at the theatre are able to enjoy a beverage in the lobby area as WCT applies for special event permits. Klassen noted thought it’s pretty common for theatres to have liquor licenses in B.C., and he says  they’ve been trying to get one for the Sagebrush Theatre since 2011.

“We pursued a licencing not only the lobby but also the theatre seating area, so you can take your beverage in. We licensed the stage area so that if we wanted to do a fundraising dinner or a special event, we could do that,” said Klassen.

“Also, some of our backstage rehearsal rooms as well, so that private donor events, private functions are able to happen backstage.”

If successful with the LCRB, the license would allow alcohol service between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m., during events with no more that 1,115 people – including staff – at the Sagebrush Theatre.