(May 25, 2017) Members of Ocean Pines’ Clubs Advisory Committee were roughly split last week on whether the association should pursue a liquor license for the Swim and Racquet Club pool on Seabreeze Road.
Committee member Gary Miller, during a meeting last Thursday, said the license was being pursued as an “appeasement for adults” when plans were announced to move a family fun night to that facility. That event has since been moved back to the Oasis pool, formerly called the yacht club pool, but the application apparently is still active.
Miller is also a member of the aquatics advisory committee.
“The aquatics committee basically said since that’s no longer an issue, we think [the Swim and Racquet Club] should stay a family pool,” Miller said.
Clubs Committee Chairman Les Purcell noted that, “when we spent many millions to build yacht club, we built the tiki bar specifically in that area to serve wine and whiskey to the members in the pool.” The Oasis pool is considered the only adults-only swimming space in the Pines.
Committee member Audrey Wahl called it overkill to serve alcohol at another Ocean Pines pool, but added, “I don’t mind getting the license, I just mind them selling it all the time.”
Another committee member, Donna Hickey, said she would favor the change.
“As a personal opinion I don’t object to it,” she said. “I don’t know if people would go there just because of that, but it’s a nice convenience to have if you’d like a glass of wine.”
Board Vice President Dave Stevens, the liaison to the committee, said the license was pursued specifically for that pool because it has been underutilized.
“It’s the least used of all five pools,” he said, adding the license was pursued “for families who bring their kids there if they want a glass of wine or a beer.”
He said the Class B license would allow for the sale and consumption of beer and wine and that the cost of the application was not significant. That facility had a license before, but did not renew it, according to Stevens.
“If the application is granted … that doesn’t mean [we have to use it]. At that point in time the board would make the decisions whether or not the implement it,” Stevens said.
Stevens added the pool was “a deep pool … it’s not really especially a little kids pool.”
“I am not against drinking and I’m not against letting people enjoy themselves and I frankly have zero concerns that it’s going to cause any problems,” he said.
Committee member Gary Miller, during a meeting last Thursday, said the license was being pursued as an “appeasement for adults” when plans were announced to move a family fun night to that facility. That event has since been moved back to the Oasis pool, formerly called the yacht club pool, but the application apparently is still active.
Miller is also a member of the aquatics advisory committee.
“The aquatics committee basically said since that’s no longer an issue, we think [the Swim and Racquet Club] should stay a family pool,” Miller said.
Clubs Committee Chairman Les Purcell noted that, “when we spent many millions to build yacht club, we built the tiki bar specifically in that area to serve wine and whiskey to the members in the pool.” The Oasis pool is considered the only adults-only swimming space in the Pines.
Committee member Audrey Wahl called it overkill to serve alcohol at another Ocean Pines pool, but added, “I don’t mind getting the license, I just mind them selling it all the time.”
Another committee member, Donna Hickey, said she would favor the change.
“As a personal opinion I don’t object to it,” she said. “I don’t know if people would go there just because of that, but it’s a nice convenience to have if you’d like a glass of wine.”
Board Vice President Dave Stevens, the liaison to the committee, said the license was pursued specifically for that pool because it has been underutilized.
“It’s the least used of all five pools,” he said, adding the license was pursued “for families who bring their kids there if they want a glass of wine or a beer.”
He said the Class B license would allow for the sale and consumption of beer and wine and that the cost of the application was not significant. That facility had a license before, but did not renew it, according to Stevens.
“If the application is granted … that doesn’t mean [we have to use it]. At that point in time the board would make the decisions whether or not the implement it,” Stevens said.
Stevens added the pool was “a deep pool … it’s not really especially a little kids pool.”
“I am not against drinking and I’m not against letting people enjoy themselves and I frankly have zero concerns that it’s going to cause any problems,” he said.