Drink Up

Alcohol sales will be no mirage at North Wildwood's Ocean Oasis
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Press of Atlantic City
Updated: Wednesday, May 17, 2006

NORTH WILDWOOD — In a 5-2 vote Tuesday, City Council approved an ordinance that will allow Morey's Piers to sell alcoholic beverages at its 25th Avenue waterpark.

Owners Jack and Will Morey already are transforming the former Raging Waters park into the resortlike Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club, and the addition of alcoholic beverages, which will include beer, wine and tropical drinks, is part of that change.

The ordinance takes effect 20 days from Tuesday, meaning alcohol will be available there this summer.

The Moreys plan to open the Ocean Oasis in mid-June.

Jack Morey said the company's plan is “the complete and total transformation of a waterpark that is tied into an all-inclusive beach resort.”

Other amenities such as hammocks, more upscale dining options and private cabanas also have been added in the effort to make the waterpark more competitive with not only other waterparks, but other vacation destinations, Will Morey said.

Close to 200 people filled council chambers, spilling out into the hallways and onto the stairs of City Hall, to support their position on the issue.

Opponents said allowing alcohol in the waterpark will both glamorize drinking to young people and create an unsafe situation in a place where safety is paramount.

“A private business interest cannot trump the public good,” said Upper Township resident Michele Previti, a parent of three children who all enjoy trips to the waterpark.

Previti said the sale of alcohol in an amusement park sends the message that alcohol is needed to have a good time.

Others, such as resident Frank Capone, said the Wildwoods have managed to overcome the image problems of the past and create a Boardwalk that is a safe place to be. The sale of alcohol at the waterpark “is a setback,” he said.

Kathy Martin, who organized a protest against the plan, predicted that selling alcohol in the waterpark and at a bar that is outside the confines of the waterpark could only lead to trouble.

“We will hold council members accountable for the alcohol-related injuries that will occur,” Martin said.

Waterpark industry experts spoke on behalf of the plan to serve alcohol in a controlled environment, meaning the consumption of alcohol would be limited to certain areas within the park. A number of residents also backed the plan, which they said would allow the park to become more competitive.

“We need to remain competitive and contemporary,” resident Bill Oakley said.

Oakley said the town cannot afford to become unfriendly to commercial enterprises that shoulder some of the city's tax burden.

“It is tourism that makes this community what it is,” he said.

Council members said they gave the decision a great deal of consideration and they had examined both sides.

Councilman Robert McCullion, who voted for the ordinance, said he was on council when it first allowed alcohol to be served in a restaurant on the Boardwalk. That decision, he said, was a positive one for the city.

Councilman Hank Rice, meanwhile, said his position had not changed.

“I am opposed to any alcohol on the Boardwalk,” Rice said.

Rice and Councilman Walt Larcombe voted against the ordinance.

The city also received 89 letters in support of the ordinance and 98 against, as well as a petition against the ordinance with 79 names.

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