HARTSVILLE, SC (WBTW) – The City of Hartsville applied for a permit to sell alcohol with the SC Department of Revenue for the city’s new ‘Neptune Island Water Park.’


Hartsville officials have big plans to use millions of dollars to build a new water park. ‘Neptune Island Water Park’ will have special features like a lazy river and a wave pool. The city is excited to bring more people to the area. City officials say while they have applied for an alcohol sale permit at the new water park, city council has not taken any action on the matter. 

 

Local pastors love the idea of the park but do not agree with the sale of alcohol so close to children and water.

South Hartsville Baptist Church Pastor Tom McLean’s church is about 3 miles from the park site. He’s worried about parents’ ability to respond while impaired.

“It’s a recipe for disaster,” said McLean. “Once you being drinking. It begins to affect your ability to respond to things. It affects your rational thinking and it affects your judgment.”

 

Fellow New Providence Baptist Church Pastor Cliff Leonard agrees but he fears for children’s safety after they leave the park.

“We’re worried about wrecks or injuries. Innocent children being injured or even killed by people consuming alcohol in this park,” said Leonard.

 

The park is set to open this summer, city official released a statement that reads:

 

The City of Hartsville has applied for a permit from the South Carolina Department of Revenue to serve alcoholic beverages at the City’s Neptune Island Waterpark, which is scheduled to open in summer 2018. Other than applying for the permit, no official action has been taken by City Council regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages at the park at this time. Should City Council choose to move forward with the sale of alcoholic beverages at the waterpark, proper measures will be implemented to comply with the laws of the State of South Carolina.

We look forward to seeing you and your family at the water park this summer.

The city also referenced other parks in the state like Myrtle Waves in Myrtle Beach, which is a water park that sales alcohol.

The clergy members believe there are other ways to make money.

“We don’t need this to be successful,” said Leonard.

McLean and Leonard want more people to speak out and persuade the council to vote against the sale of alcohol.

 

A group of three former educators that live in Hartsville fears children safety while at the park.

“When we see our government getting on the wrong path it’s up to the citizens to stand up and be a voice,” said Stephanie Stanley.

Stanley says she signed a Beer, Wine, and Liquor protest form and urges other people to sign a protest form by Friday.

“We hope that the license will not be given. We hope the city will reverse course,” said Stanley. “We’re hoping this will be a beacon that they whole park has been and that there will be an alcohol-free park in which families can celebrate, play and have fun.”

Both the clergy and educators plan to talk with the city Mayor and council members.

City officials say the council will not review the alcohol permit at its next meeting in March or April.