CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Cape Coral leaders listened in favor to a proposal to sell wine and beer at Sun Splash Family Waterpark Monday night.
Park director Kerry Runyon said it'll put Cape Coral on the map with water parks in other cities like Orlando and Tampa which serve alcohol. More important for Cape Coral, she said it would reduce the $2 million that comes out of the city’s general fund to support the park.
She said the alcohol sales will bring in more than $100,000 of revenue for the park each year.
Safety is the most pressing concern for Mayor Joe Coviello and council members.
But Runyon said they’ll train employees to notice over-consumption, fake ID’s and other red flags.
The council’s next concern is enforcing the drink purchase rules.
“How do you keep track of the two drink maximum?” asked Mayor Coviello.
Coviello said he’s concerned people who don’t drink will buy multiple drinks for those who do.
Runyon said they’re planning ahead for that by using wristbands to keep track of how much people drink. The wristbands have two tabs on them. Cashiers will rip off one tab per drink purchase. Once both tabs are gone, that customer can’t buy anymore alcohol.
Council members John Gunter and Dave Stokes said the city should test it out as a trial before they fully commit to keeping the alcohol sales.
The council could vote to pass the resolution as soon as mid-February.
