Drinks Anyone?

Morey's water park closer to alcohol OK
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Friday, April 28, 2006
Updated: Friday, April 28, 2006

NORTH WILDWOOD — Some members of the Planning Board were skeptical when they first heard that Morey's Piers wanted to sell alcoholic drinks at its 25th Avenue water park.

“I thought that the Moreys may have lost their minds,” board member Ed Einhaus said.

But after learning more about the concept and seeing the plans for themselves, they changed their minds.

Einhaus said the Moreys should be applauded for their plan to bring upgraded, upscale facilities to the island.

The rest of the seven-member board agreed and voted unanimously Wednesday night to recommend a new city ordinance that would permit the sale of alcoholic beverages at the water park.

The recommendation, which will be forwarded to City Council for a final vote in mid-May, came after board members expressed their support and audience members expressed their opposition to, or concerns about, the city's move to revamp its ordinances for the Morey's project.

Chairman Charles Brackett took an informal poll at the start of the meeting, and all the members said they were in support of the addition of alcoholic-drink service to the former Raging Waters park. The newly renovated park will operate under the name Ocean Oasis Water Park and Beach Club.

Board member Robert McCullion, who also sits on City Council, said he was among a number of residents who toured the park Wednesday afternoon. He said the tour cleared up a lot of his concerns.

On the tour, visitors were taken around the existing park and shown the new features that are still being installed. They include private cabanas surrounding a fire pit, a swim-up bar, a massage area with a nearby cafe complete with hammocks and an elevated dining area tentatively known as the Bitter End.

Geoff Rogers, operations director, said drinks will be available through waitress service and those with the proper identification will be given a wristband to indicate they can drink alcohol.

Only beer, wine and tropical drinks will be served, and they will come in colored cups to distinguish them from non-alcoholic beverages.

Entry to each area where alcohol will be served will be controlled with those color-coded features, and people will monitor access to the alcohol service areas.

“You can get to every ride without entering an alcoholic service area,” Rodgers said.

Board member Bill Green also took the tour, and he said if Morey's operates the water park as professionally as the tour was run, there should be few problems.

Brackett was similarly impressed. “What they propose to do is a lot more than I expected,” Brackett said.

Planner Stuart Wiser said the ordinance was in keeping with the master plan and the effort to enhance the city's economy.

There was some debate about the wording in a section of the ordinance, but the board voted to send it on to council and suggest that the section referring to restaurants and water parks be amended.

While the board was satisfied, audience member Paul DiFilippo said the city should be careful about changing its zoning and adhering to its master plan.

“Are we going to have a new zone every time somebody wants to come in and do something?” Paul DiFilippo asked.

Resident Jim Koch said the pier should operate a full-service restaurant as was planned several years ago when Morey's purchased the liquor license. He said allowing alcoholic drinks at the water park was not in keeping with the city's regulations.

“You're breaking your own laws,” Koch said.

Don Martin, a former city councilman, said he strongly opposed the plan, in particular the elevated area that would be open to both water park customers and non-water park customers.

Once patrons leave the bar, Martin said, it becomes the city's problem and, in turn, the taxpayers' problem.

And Martin said the city should have had a site plan before work began. “These guys have already built this thing,” Martin said.

Planner Clark Doran, representing Morey's Piers, said the company showed its plans to the city's zoning official and most of the work involved decorating existing structures.

He noted that at least 120 water parks in about 30 states serve alcohol.

The issue is expected to be heard by City Council at its May 16 meeting.

To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:TGilfillian@pressofac.com