The Cayman Islands Rugby Club avoided losing its liquor license, but has been placed on probation, after allegations of late night parties and breaches of liquor and planning laws at an annual Liquor Licensing Board meeting Thursday.
Mr. Haines |
The club now has until December when the LLB next meets to clean its act up if it wants to retain its liquor license.
Residents objecting to the club’s liquor license renewal said the South Sound institution has grown out of control and is now a major nuisance to neighbors.
Late night drinking on the rugby pitch has forced residents to call police on occasions, they said. The group called for the club’s license to be curtailed or taken away all together.
Rugby Club officials acknowledged the club’s operations have grown, but they denied liquor law breaches. President Derek Haines highlighted the club’s role in promoting the sport to children, and said bar revenues were essential in that effort.
But resident John Mackenzie, from the adjacent Mary Read Crescent, said the club had changed from a sporting club to a nightclub, and most people drinking there are no longer members.
He claimed the club regularly violated its liquor license, with alcohol being served, and partying continuing on the field, well into the morning.
‘On a number of occasions … I have had to walk over at 3am and ask them to please give us a break.’
Mr. Mackenzie claimed the club was devaluating resident’s living standards, which they had invested their life savings in.
He went on to allege that the club’s license was in conflict with its lease, which, according to Mr. Mackenzie, says activity should take place no later than 11pm, and earlier on Sundays and holidays.
Licensee Christopher Jackson confirmed that the present license allows alcohol to be served until 11pm weekdays, from 4pm Friday until 1am Saturday morning and from 2pm to midnight Saturdays.
Berna Thompson-Cummins, a resident at Anne Bonny Crescent since 1989, said the club was in breach of section 9 (1) (e) of the Liquor Licensing Law, which says a license must not be granted if it will cause inconvenience to the occupiers of neighbouring property.
‘The rugby club seems to be out of control. They have no regard for any laws,’ she said.
Mrs. Thompson-Cummins pointed to an incident on 13 April this year, when she was forced to call police sometime after 1am, having tried to endure loud music for a long time. The Police came, but as soon as they left, the music went right back up, she claimed.
Michael Ian Godfrey, one of the first residents to build on Anne Bonny Crescent, said he had lived in peace and harmony with the Rugby Club for many years, but in recent times, it has becomes a big problem.
‘They do a lot for youth and I love sport and I want to see them flourish but they really have outgrown the area,’ he said.
‘If they continue with the liquor license they will continue to abuse it … We cannot sit back and see our property and life savings devaluated.’
Anne Shaw of Anne Bonny Crescent said the club was causing road problems, with many people parking on the road and on corners during club events.
The objectors also took issue with the erection of tents, a fence and signage that does not have planning approval. Mr. Haines confirmed the club had an after-the-fact application with the Central Planning Authority.
Mr. Haines denied breaches of the Liquor Licensing Law, but undertook to do what he could to work with the neighbours.
He acknowledged the club has ‘moved on quite a lot’ in recent times, but is proud the club now has over 3,000 youngsters playing rugby on the Cayman Islands.
‘Rugby used to be looked at as an ex-pat sport. It’s now a Caymanian sport and 85 per cent of our youngsters are Caymanian.’
Although the Government has provided the club with $40,000 this year for promoting rugby, it still relies heavily on bar takings. Mr. Jackson said bar takings account for roughly 50 per cent of the club’s revenue.
Mrs. Thompson-Cummings asked Mr. Haines if he would like to live in the area under the same conditions. He said he would be delighted to live by the rugby club, and questioned some of the objectors’ claims about property devaluation, given the prices some nearby properties have recently attracted.
He noted that it had cost the club $80,000 to rebuild from Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
The club’s right to play music and permit dancing was also questioned during the hearing, with board member Ruth Williams asking Mr. Jackson whether he was aware that a music and dancing license is required.
Mr. Jackson said he though they didn’t need a license to play recorded background music but Board Chair Mitchell Welds told him they did.
Mr. Haines said he heard what was said about music and dancing and the club will seek to comply with that.
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