By Donald Wittkowski
Sea Isle City currently bans the possession, consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages on all public property and in all public buildings – except for one place.
An exception has been carved out for Excursion Park, the seaside venue that serves as the city’s hub for concerts, shows, festivals and other special events.
But a proposed ordinance that is scheduled for a final vote by City Council at its meeting Tuesday would lump Excursion Park in with the myriad other public sites where alcohol is prohibited.
Even now, there are limited circumstances where alcohol is allowed in Excursion Park. Only nonprofit organizations holding special events may serve alcohol in the park if they have a city permit, the law says.
Council is considering an alcohol ban in Excursion Park as part of new safety and security regulations that would cover special events held at public parks or on other city-owned property.
Sea Isle’s proposed regulations would comply with heightened security requirements developed by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to protect large festivals, shows, concerts and other special events throughout the state.
Sea Isle Councilman William Kehner, however, wants to take a closer look whether the proposed alcohol ban at Excursion Park is needed as part of the security regulations.
“I want to at least have a discussion,” Kehner said in an interview Saturday.
He noted, for instance, that an alcohol ban may hurt special events sponsored by nonprofit organizations such as the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization.
The Chamber once held its annual Around the World Social gala and fundraiser at Excursion Park before the event was moved inside because of the humid weather and insects, Kehner said.
Tiki torches that have the bug-repellant citronella could possibly make Excursion Park an attractive venue for the Around the World Social in the future, according to Kehner.
“Some people are saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to bring it back to Excursion Park?’’’ he said.
Kehner believes it is worth exploring whether keeping the alcohol exception intact for Excursion Park might help the Chamber and other nonprofit organizations with their special events or fundraisers.
He’s worried that if the alcohol ban is approved and it causes confusion or harm, City Council would be forced to go back and repeal it after acknowledging, “Oh, my, why didn’t we think about that?” he said.
At the same time, if it becomes clear during Council’s discussion that there wouldn’t be any harm, he would be willing to support the alcohol ban, he said.
Kehner is also concerned about the possible impact an alcohol ban in Excursion Park might have on the Polar Bear Plunge, Sea Isle’s wildly popular annual event that draws tens of thousands of visitors to town in February for a weekend of partying, dining and shopping – highlighted by a chilly dip in the ocean.
Sea Isle’s LaCosta Lounge nightclub, where Kehner works as the manager of the liquor store, currently serves as the headquarters site for the Polar Bear Plunge’s entertainment lineup and costume party.
In June, it was announced that LaCosta has been sold for $7.3 million to two business partners who plan to redevelop the site after the bar’s operating lease expires on Sept. 30, 2019.
Kehner mentioned Excursion Park, a grassy expanse next to the beaches and ocean, as a possible headquarters site for the Polar Bear Plunge if LaCosta closes and is redeveloped.
“If the LaCosta is closed, where does the Polar Bear Plunge go?” Kehner said. “Excursion Park may be an appropriate place for the Polar Bear Plunge headquarters.”
Yet, he wonders whether an alcohol ban in Excursion Park could complicate possibly using the park for the Polar Bear Plunge’s partying and entertainment in the future.
Proceeds from the Polar Bear Plunge benefit citywide events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, including family-friendly holiday galas and other tourist attractions held year-round in Sea Isle.
