At the peak of the 30-month battle that successfully blocked Big League Dreams from being built at Woodward Park, neighborhood residents attacked proposed beer sales the city proposed to allow with a vengeance.

It was one of the top three points of contention in 2005 that several hundred Woodward Park area residents used to fight the sports complex at every council meeting for more than two years. The other was the expected nightly crowds and accompanying noise with no games allowed to start after 10 p.m. as well as parking issues.

How neighbors will react now that 20 years have passed when it comes to alcohol consumption sans a BLD sports complex will be tested Tuesday when the Manteca City Council will consider an ordinance change allowing the consumption of alcohol during special events at Woodward Park and Library for special events the city allows by permit.

Staff, in a report to the City Council, said the ordinance language change is being proposed “to encourage community gatherings and events” to allows alcohol consumption by permit in designated parks during special events. Specifically, it would allow individuals to obtain permits for alcohol use at Woodward Park and Library Park when hosting approved special events.

The current ordinance prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages at city parks except Marion Elliott Park (formerly Lincoln Park), Northgate Park and the Big League Dreams sports complex.

The exceptions were built into the ordinance in a nod to people reserving picnic shelters at Northgate and Marion Elliot parks for family reunions and similar celebratory gatherings.

Woodward Park also has a picnic shelter. Unlike the ones at Northgate and Lincoln that also function as community parks, no alcohol consumption is allowed.

It was also allowed at Northgate as the city operated adult softball leagues and tournaments at the softball complex.

Beer sales is part of the BLD business model.

The city-owned the six-field complex that is leased to a private firm to operate and maintain.

BLD has two restaurants that sell beer inside the fenced in complex on Daniels Street at Milo Candini Drive.

Originally, the city proposed building four fields where the storm retention basin is located as part of a 30-year lease with BLD.

The beer sale component triggered swift and persistent pushback.

Residents were worried about drunken behavior from those leaving games and returning to vehicles that are often parked on neighborhood streets.

Besides a safety concern, they believed alcohol consumption would create a litter problem.

City leaders, at the time, countered such problems did not occur at the Northgate Park softball complex even though the city allowed beer sales during games.

The City Council meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com