Michigan Board of Regents votes to allow alcohol sales at Big House, Crisler, Yost venues
The University of Michigan Board of Regents met in Flint on Thursday and voted unanimously to request the Michigan Liquor Control Commission issue liquor licenses for three athletic venues: Michigan Stadium, Crisler Center and Yost Ice Arena.
Although implementation for Michigan football games at Michigan Stadium will "be voted on at a later date," according to a release from the board, the Regents voted for licenses at Crisler and Yost to begin "as soon as possible," which could be as soon as Jan. 1, 2024. When the state gives final approval, Michigan will be permitted to sell alcohol at all three venues for athletic events and a "small number" of athletic events each year.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill in July which lifted the state's ban on alcohol sales at sports arenas and stadiums at public universities; earlier this ytear, Michigan State approved the sale of alcohol at Spartan Stadium and Breslin Center, which began last month.
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The release states university officials are "still considering the various ways to use revenue from the sale of alcohol" if the state gives the green light.
The board also approved renovations for the football program's Schembechler Hall locker room and the basketball program's Davidson Player Development Center; the updates are estimated to cost a combined $24 million and will be entirely funded through athletic department gifts.
Schembechler Hall was built in 1990 and renovated in 2009. The football portion of the project is expected to cost $14 million and will not only expand the locker room, but make improvements in the locker room and shower area of the 14,000-square foot facility. The basketball project is estimated to cost $10 million and will renovate the 11,500-square foot hub's locker room and and shower area.
Work on Schembechler Hall is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2024 while the Davidson Player Development Center, originally built in 2011, is projected to be complete by fall 2024.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Board of Regents votes to allow alcohol sales at 3 venues
