Petition filed to vote against alcohol sales at Poplar Bluff water park

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — More than 400 people have signed an online petition calling on the Poplar Bluff City Council to vote against alcohol sales at Hydro Adventures.

The appeal was posted April 8 to www.ipetitions.com.

It states the water park is a family establishment with children of all ages and should not have alcohol for safety reasons.

Signatures and comments have been left by residents from across the region and state, including Poplar Bluff, Qulin, Malden, St. Louis, Bolivar and Wentzville, Missouri.

City officials said state law trumps local control over the issuance of liquor licenses for this type of business.

There is no legal way for the council to prevent a restaurant or resort from selling alcohol as long as fire codes and other state requirements are met, city attorney Mark Richardson said.

Hydro Adventures has applied to the state as a resort, a type of business for which alcohol sales are not the primary source of income, he said.

“The fact of the matter is that we don’t have any choice, if we’re going to be compliant with state law,” Richardson said. “There is no result that the city can provide (residents) that is going to take care of the issue. Their issue is with the owners of that business.”

Pastor Gregory Kirk, one of the early signers of the petition, acknowledged the city council may not have the ability to stop the license but said they do not need to give their support either.

“I cannot see a positive thing about offering alcohol at a venue where it’s known for family entertainment,” he said. “How does this promote the welfare of our children?”

City council members gave verbal consent April 4 to the issuance of two liquor licenses for the business. One will be used at a new building within the park. The other is for the second floor of the main building, which will be rented out for events.

Council members voted 5-1 in favor of the matter, with Mayor Betty Absheer casting the only “no” vote. No other action is needed by the council for the permits to move forward, according to officials.

The issue came before the council only because the business initially sought a third license for alcohol to be sold at cabanas, which are temporary structures, Richardson said.

That request was withdrawn after the council agenda was set, but before the council vote, he said.

Regulations for temporary structures are different than those for permanent buildings, he said.

Hydro Adventures owner Jack Falfas offered assurances Tuesday safety is the park’s primary concern, and alcohol would be provided only as an amenity, not in a way that would allow people to become intoxicated or out of control.

Falfas said he plans to attend the upcoming city council meeting Monday to discuss the matter.

Alcohol will be kept contained to the building where it is sold, and only those older than 21 will be allowed in these areas, said Falfas, CEO of United Parks.

Patrons will not be able to carry drinks throughout the park. No pitcher beer will be sold, and glasses will be color-coded so employees can identify who is drinking alcohol, he said.

There would be no limit on how much patrons could drink, but anyone found to be intoxicated or abusing park policy would be asked to leave and provided with a ride, Falfas said.

United Parks sells alcohol at other parks, including Daytona Lagoons in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Pertinent address:

2801 Cheshire Blvd., Poplar Bluff, Mo.