Trial period for alcohol sales at Sun Splash gets interest
When Sun Splash Family Waterpark reopens this spring, don’t be surprised if you see some adults lying by the water enjoying a beer.
The Cape Coral City Council saw a presentation Monday on a staff proposal to sell beer, wine and smoothies at the city-owned water park as a way for it to become more self-sustaining and to help pay for needed repairs and renovations.
Early indicators at the workshop meeting showed some support, at least on a trial basis.
Parks and Recreation Director Kerry Runyon and Sandy Griner, manager at Sun Splash, gave the presentation to outline the benefits of selling light liquor there.
The plan would increase revenue to address age-related park maintenance, allow for new amenities, open the door for corporate events and reduce dependency on the general fund to subsidize it, they said.
The park, which has averaged 91,000 visitors the last three years, could expect a 10 percent increase in attendance once alcohol is offered, according to industry professionals.
Alcohol sales could bring in as much as an additional $186,000 in profit, which would help mitigate the city’s subsidy for the park, which over the last three years has been about $2 million.
Council members John Carioscia and Rick Williams said they had misgivings at first, but upon seeing the presentation, would support it.
Councilmember Marilyn Stout said she supported it from the beginning and nothing changed after seeing the presentation, though she was concerned about how easily people could circumvent the two-drink per person maximum.
“We have to support efforts to decrease the general fund subsidy and this is one way to do it,” Stout said. “I’m not sure the two-drink maximum would work, but you need to try it. If my husband doesn’t drink and I do. He can buy a drink for me and I end up with four drinks. I can see that happening.”
“When you have no more tabs on your wristband, what’s to stop you from going and getting another wristband?” Williams asked.
Griner said people would not be able to get another wristband.
Mayor Joe Coviello shared the concern that the two-drink maximum could be circumvented and said it could impact how he votes on the ordinance. He said he wants a solution to that problem. He also asked if this would bring in more corporate events, which could bring in even more funds and make the park further self-sufficient.
“One of the questions corporations ask is if we serve alcohol. If we say no, that’s it. We’re done,” Runyon said.
Council members suggested trying the proposal out on a trial basis (one year) to see how implementation would work. A resolution is expected to be placed on the agenda as early as Monday.
The city council also got an update on the Parks Master Plan.
City Manager John Szerlag told Council that staff would provide a three-year parks budget and management plan which would be updated every three months to update residents.
Szerlag said the city will be done with everything in the $60 million plan by the end of 2021.
In the meantime, residents will have a chance to see the plans and provide input.
Once those plans are determined, they will go to City Council for approval. A bidding process for work done would then commence and once that is finished, that also will be brought to Council for approval.