Sportsplex Gets One More Chance to Keep Liquor License

Sturtevant trustees are giving the owners of the Sturtevant Sportsplex one more chance to do right before yanking their liquor license.

During a special board meeting called Tuesday to address the on-going alcohol, crowd control, parking and general rowdiness at the venue, Village Board members voted unanimously to approve a written agreement that spells out the village's expectations. In exchange, they approved the renewal of the Sportsplex's Class B liquor license for another year.

Neither Fernando Bahena nor Maximino Miranda, co-owners of the Sportsplex, attended the meeting, but village Attorney Chris Geary was there to present the proposed agreement to trustees.

"This agreement gives the licensee a chance to do the right thing," Geary explained.

Village President Steve Jansen agreed, noting that having the expectations in writing as opposed to the verbal agreement offered in March carries more weight and gives the village a stronger leg on which to stand if they need one.

"(Bahena) needs to be put on notice that we won't tolerate, we can't tolerate what's been happening out there," he said. "This is a proactive move so that in the future, if need be, we have our ducks in a row."

Citing too many calls for trouble at the facility, Sturtevant officials in a hand-delivered letter to owners Fernando Bahena and Maximino Miranda let them know the full village board would vote on the matter during the special meeting Tuesday. 

The latest infraction was when a party held on June 8 - called the Summer Tip Off Bash with appearances by Pinkie XXX Plies and Pleasure P -  got so out of hand that Sturtevant police called in assistance from Mount Pleasant and the Racine County Sheriff. The scene that night wasn't cleared until well into the early hours of the morning.

In March, village officials met with Bahena and his lawyer after an off-duty Sturtevant police officer was punched by a patron of the dance club inside the Sportsplex. Chief Sean Marschke had been giving permission for his officers to work security at the Sportsplex when they were off-duty.

Since that incident, though, Marschke has pulled his officers and Bahena and Miranda have hired private security.

In the agreement, which was brought to Sturtevant already signed by Bahena and Miranda, the village spells out the following expectations:

• Two-week suspension of alcohol licenses beginning July 1 with the only exceptions being previously booked events on July 6 and July 13.
• Alcohol sales will be limited to two drinks per person.
• During special events, Bahena and Miranda will get written agreements from neighboring companies for permission to use their lots, and these documents must be provided to the village.
• The number of people allowed at special events will have to match the amount of parking available.
• For every 100 patrons, the Sportsplex will have three licensed security personnel on site.
• No alcohol sales after 1 a.m.
• Sportsplex personnel will make sure - before 8 a.m. the next day - that all trash is cleaned up outside in both the Sportsplex lots and in the lots of other companies where patrons parked. 
• All patrons must clear the area without assistance from law enforcement by 3 a.m.