Hockey players in Charlottetown's recreational leagues have been told they will have to leave the arena and head to a bar if they want a drink after the game.

Mitchell Tweel, chair of the parks and recreation committee, said council could not condone an illegal activity.
(CBC)

Charlottetown city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban drinking in city dressing rooms. The issue was raised by the parks and recreation committee before council's monthly meeting in September and the vote was deferred until Tuesday night.

"As a city corporation, you cannot, as members of city council, condone an illegal activity," said parks and recreation committee chair Mitchell Tweel.

"When you condone an illegal activity such as alcohol, then you are potentially opening up the citizens of this community to a major lawsuit. If that was to happen, I'm not suggesting that it would happen, but if it was to happen, the City of Charlottetown wouldn't have a leg to stand on."

Penalties for drinking will increase with repeated infractions, starting with a written warning.

On a fourth infraction, a team will be suspended for the rest of the season and be required to pay a $100 refundable performance fee at the beginning of the next season.