W. Jordan Council nips at beer sales

WEST JORDAN — A proposal that would have allowed beer sales at West Jordan's rodeo arena has been tossed.

The City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday night not to adjust the boundaries of Veteran's Memorial Park to exclude the rodeo arena and its parking lot, which would have paved the way for beer to be sold at events there.

West Jordan prohibits the sale and consumption of beer at city parks. City officials had been considering a change to the boundaries of the park at 1985 W. 7800 South to exclude the rodeo arena from those restrictions, in an effort to attract concerts and other events to the area.

That potential was outweighed by the desire of a majority of the City Council to keep the rodeo arena alcohol-free and host only family-friendly events.

"I like West Jordan to be known as a family-friendly place to be," Councilman Rob Bennett said. "We have a lot of families. It's important to have a good, fun place where families can come and feel safe and have events they feel like they can take their children to."

Bennett said the city needs to offer attractions and events for grown-ups, too, "but I'm not necessarily sure that having the city allow for beer sales is the best way to do that."

Councilwoman Melissa Johnson, who along with Mike Kellermeyer voted in favor of the change, said she disagreed with the council's decision, "but I'm not losing sleep over it."