Niverville votes to lift ban on liquor sales

A 70-year ban on the sale of liquor in Niverville just south of Winnipeg has been set aside.

Residents narrowly voted Wednesday night to allow Niverville council the right to consider liquor licence applications. The vote was 417 in favour and 346 opposed.

Once the applications are approved by the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission, they will be considered by the Niverville council. The council will take into account such things as religious objections.

Niverville Mayor Clair Braun says even though his town will no longer be 'dry,' he notes there isn't a rush of groups waiting to get liquor licences.

"I would expect that the proposed 18-hole golf course will be the first one to come. As far as I'm aware, that's the only one that's out there right now."

Braun says he's happy with the way the referendum was conducted. He says a sensitive issue was dealt with without dividing the community.