Utah soccer fans will be able to buy beer at Real Monarchs games, after all.
Real Salt Lake’s minor-league affiliate received a state liquor license from the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage on Friday.
The state liquor commission called the meeting specifically to grant the license so the Monarchs could set up dispensing equipment and buy beer in time for its March 31 season opener.
Having the liquor license ends a months-long saga that started when the stadium’s planners and architects placed the original entrance of the 5,500-seat venue in Herriman just 100 feet from RSL’s new charter school.
That’s too close to a school, according to state law, to get a liquor license.
Alcohol licenses cannot be granted to businesses if the patron entrance is within 600 feet (by pedestrian travel) of a church, school, park, public playground or library.
The Monarchs spent nearly $250,000 to move the main entrance to meet the 600-foot requirement.
Despite the move, the liquor commission still was hesitant to grant the liquor license in February, saying it still had concerns about the distance. The DABC consulted with Rep. Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville — who oversees much of Utah’s liquor law legislation.
Their concerns were answered and the license was granted, said DABC spokesman Terry Wood.
The new stadium is part of a 42-acre complex near the Mountain View Corridor, at 14700 S. 3700 West. It includes eight soccer fields and training facilities to be used by RSL, the Monarchs, the Utah Royals — RSL’s new professional women’s team — and the club’s under-16 and under-18 teams.
It also is home to the Real Salt Lake Academy High School, a charter school that specializes in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The school includes a boarding facility and caters to up-and-coming soccer players who come from around the country to train.
