Cody Auditorium To Get Sprinkler System To Allow Alcohol
Written by Andrew-Rossi on September 29, 2021
Cody residents will once again be able to enjoy drinks in the Cody Auditorium, thanks to federal COVID funds and a soon-to-be-installed sprinkler system.
The Cody Auditorium will soon be able to host large events with alcohol. Thanks to the American Rescue Act and Cody City Council, the large space will soon have a new sprinkler system.
During a September 21 meeting of the Cody City Council, members voted to allocate $150,000 to install a sprinkler system and a new sound system in the Cody Auditorium. The money is part of the federal funds the city received thru the American Rescue Act.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was passed by the U.S. Congress earlier this year. President Joe Biden signed the act into law on March 11. The $1.9 trillion package is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including the public health and economic impacts.
Under the act, the City of Cody received $850,000 to use at its discretion. Now, a portion of that funding will ensure the Cody Auditorium stays safe and busy.
Under the International Fire Code, the Cody Auditorium is classified under Group A2 – a banquet hall with a capacity of 300 people. For a venue in that group with that capacity, serving alcohol is prohibited unless the venue is equipped with an automatic fire extinguisher system – something the auditorium doesn’t currently have.
“Any event can be held in the building – you just can’t serve alcohol,” said Cody City Administrator Barry Cook in February.
The need for a sprinkler system isn’t news to the city – Cody Fire Marshal Sam Wilde gave the city a two-year grace period to install or financially commit to a sprinkler system. However, in the name of safety and compliance, that grace period was not extended into 2021.
Because of this provision, several local entities moved their events to alternate locations that permitted serving alcohol. Now, prominent events like the Buffalo Bill Birthday Bash, the Cody Soroptimist Wine Tasting, and CASA’s Taste of Park County may return to the Cody Auditorium.
There is no timeline for the installation of the sprinkler and sound systems at this point.
