N※N

Beer and wine sales approved for Gesa Field with restrictions

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/11 .. s-approved-for-gesa-field-with-restrictions.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 3:58 GMT by KHQ
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Beer‑and‑Wine Sales Approved for Gesa Field, But with a Hefty List of Restrictions

A local referendum that had been on Kansas voters’ ballots for months finally tipped into the “yes” column last night, clearing the way for beer and wine to be sold on the field at Gesa Field, the newest minor‑league stadium in Overland Park. While the measure’s approval is a win for the ballpark’s owners and a boon for fans looking for a more complete game‑day experience, the new rules impose a series of limits that will shape exactly how the drinks are sold and who gets to purchase them.

What the Measure Actually Covers

The ballot initiative—labeled “S-3” in the county election guide—was drafted by the ownership group behind Gesa Field, the Kansas City Royals affiliate that opened its doors in 2022. The proposal allows the ballpark to sell beer and wine during any event held on its grounds, including regular‑season minor‑league games, concerts, and community gatherings. However, it does not permit the sale of hard liquor, nor does it allow for the purchase of beer or wine for take‑away or off‑site consumption.

Under the approved law, drinks can only be sold in specific areas of the park, namely the “tasting lounge” located in the lower bowl and the “bistro” located in the club level. The park is also required to maintain a visible “no‑sale” sign in every concession stand, and all alcohol sales must be monitored by licensed security officers. A local sales tax—set at 4.25%—will apply to all alcoholic beverages sold on the field. All proceeds from the sales will go directly to the Gesa Field Foundation, a charitable arm that supports youth baseball programs and community outreach.

The measure also sets a strict schedule for the sale of alcohol. The first beverage can be sold at 12:30 p.m. on game days, but no sales are permitted after 10:00 p.m., regardless of the event’s schedule. Additionally, the park must restrict alcohol sales to people who are 21 or older, verified through a government‑issued ID. The law also bans the sale of alcohol in the park’s “family‑friendly” section, which is defined as any seat with a view of the field but no direct access to the tasting lounge or club level.

How the Vote Turned Out

The official results released by the Wyandotte County Election Office show a close but decisive victory: 53.6% of voters approved the measure, while 46.4% rejected it. The margin of 7,400 votes—out of a total of 131,000 ballots cast—was larger than the 2020 referendum that had narrowly failed in the same area. The turnout was 65% for a county with roughly 280,000 eligible voters, indicating a strong civic engagement on the issue.

“We saw a lot of enthusiasm from families, alumni, and local business owners,” said Mayor John C. Phelps at the post‑election press conference. “The community’s willingness to support Gesa Field, even with the restrictions, shows that they want to keep the park vibrant without compromising safety or the family atmosphere.”

The campaign for the “yes” side was spearheaded by the Gesa Field Foundation’s community outreach team, who partnered with local sports bars and wineries to hold tasting events at the park before the vote. A local beer brewery, “Blue Valley Brews,” held a mock‑tasting session in the club level to showcase what a “regulated, responsible” alcohol program could look like. On the other side, a coalition of parents and civic groups—represented by the “Overland Park Family Council”—argued that adding alcohol would turn the ballpark into a party hub and reduce the focus on youth sports.

Why the Restrictions Matter

The restrictions are not arbitrary; they reflect a broader trend across the United States, where municipalities that want to allow alcohol sales at sporting venues are required to negotiate a complex set of conditions with state regulators and local lawmakers. In Kansas, the alcohol‑control statutes are governed by the Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which sets rules for the sale of alcoholic beverages in public venues. In particular, the state has a strict “beer‑and‑wine only” category that does not allow any hard liquor, a restriction that is intended to reduce drunk‑driving incidents and minimize public disturbances.

The Gesa Field measure also required a detailed business plan that outlined the park’s security protocol, a “public service announcement” campaign on responsible drinking, and a plan to donate a portion of sales revenue to community sports programs. Those requirements were signed off on by the Kansas City Board of Education, which saw the potential for the money to support local youth leagues.

Next Steps

Although the measure has passed, the approval is only the beginning. Gesa Field’s ownership group will now need to apply for a state liquor license—specifically a “beer‑and‑wine” license—by the end of July. The license application will include a final audit of the park’s security measures, staffing plan, and a compliance report from the local health department. If the license is granted, the park can start selling alcohol by September, ahead of the 2025 baseball season.

Additionally, city officials will draft a municipal ordinance that will codify the restrictions, including the specific sale hours and the designated sale areas. The ordinance will be subject to a two‑month public comment period before it can be enacted.

“We’re excited to move forward, but we’ll keep the conversation open with residents and stakeholders,” said Gesa Field CEO Sarah Martinez in a statement. “We want to make sure that the park remains a family‑friendly place, while also giving our fans a more complete experience.”

Final Thought

The approval of beer and wine sales at Gesa Field is a milestone for the park and the local community. It signals a willingness to embrace a more adult‑oriented entertainment model while still safeguarding the family environment that is central to minor‑league baseball. The real test, however, will be in how well the park implements the restrictions, monitors compliance, and balances revenue generation with community standards. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on whether Gesa Field can become a model for responsible alcohol sales in sporting venues, or whether the tight restrictions will limit its potential to grow into a premier entertainment destination.