St. Charles city officials aren’t big fans of mixed martial arts fighting, to say the least.
At the Dec. 7 government operations meeting, council members unanimously voted against allowing Real Time Sports, 584 Randall Road, to use a liquor license for a scheduled kickboxing and mixed martial arts event within the bar.
“I certainly don’t think our kids should be exposed to this type of event,” 4th Ward Alderman Jim Martin said.
Third Ward Alderman John McGuirk agreed, saying even though the event has become acceptable, it “just doesn’t sit well” with him.
“I just don’t see that it has a place (here),” McGuirk said.
Real Time Sports owner Shamus Connelly said because the city denied the special events liquor license, the event is no longer being held at the bar.
“We’re a bar,” Connelly said. “That’s the way we make money. ... We’re not interested in running a (dry event).
“The city is entitled to their opinion,” Connelly said. “The only thing I can say is that we show (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fights. The crowd that it brings in, we’ve never had any issues. Whether that makes it right or wrong, I really don’t know.”
St. Charles Mayor Donald DeWitte said while the events aren’t his “cup of tea,” they do have a right to hold them. He hopes the council will continue to look at each situation of this nature on an individual basis.
“My fear is their votes were in an attempt to prevent the event from taking place,” DeWitte said. “(Not having the event) is only disappointing from the standpoint that a lot of people make sure events are held in controlled, enjoyable environments.”
Similar events have been held in the past at the Kane County Fairgrounds, Pheasant Run and the Arcada Theatre.
Earlier this year, the council allowed a mixed martial arts event to take place at the DuPage Expo Center. Alcohol sales were cut off at 9:30 p.m. and three off-duty police officers were used as event security.
DeWitte said he believes what threw the council and caused the vote of no confidence was that this event would be the first of its kind in an establishment with a liquor license.
Connelly said he is disappointed but respects the city’s views, and believes there is something to be learned from this.
“The only way to get past it is for one of the promoters to be able to educate (city officials) a little more,” Connelly said.
