Inflatable waterslide coming soon to Main Beach

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter – News Analyst

On a hesitant 4-1 vote, Fernandina Beach City Commissioners last night approved Resolution 2014-53 allowing Oceanus Slides, LLC to erect and operate an inflatable waterslide at Main Beach Park daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m..  In return for 20 percent of the gross revenues, the city agreed to provide both water and electricity to the operator.  The slide will be located in the northeast corner of the Main Beach Park, west of the old boardwalk. 

While Mayor Ed Boner cast the sole dissenting vote, both Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican and Commissioner Pat Gass voiced reservations and concerns before casting their votes.  Pelican feared that water runoff would create a mud hole at the slide.  Boner expressed concerns about possibly destroying the beach vista with the addition of a 36’ vertical waterslide.  “What we have now is beautiful,” he said.  Pelican agreed with Boner’s assertion that most people go Main Beach for the beach.  “Are we that desperate for profit,” she asked, “that we are willing to take that risk [of destroying what we have]?” Gass thought the slide might kill the grass and look “cheesy.”

City Manager Joe Gerrity assured commissioners that the soil around the slide would perk, so creating a mud hole was not an issue.  He also reported that the proposed location would not interfere with special events scheduled at Main Beach.

Beach resident Burton Bright, a senior member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee, told commissioners that a waterslide has always been part of the master plan for Main Beach, which includes a variety of active and passive activities.  He said that the slide would enhance Main Beach and that it fits in the confines of the selected space.  He said that the entire Parks and Recreation Committee supports the waterslide, adding that if a problem develops, the agreement can be withdrawn.

Joann Hertz, a condo resident who overlooks Main Beach, expressed her concern about the existing green space in the park and asked where all the cars bringing business to the attraction would park.  She reported that she had spoken with many people who grew up in Fernandina Beach who said that the former slide had never been as important to them as the beach itself.  She suggested that other activities, such as shuffleboard and petanque, which can be year-round activities and do not have a vertical impact on views, might be explored as revenue generators instead of the waterslide.

Finally Commissioner Charlie Corbett moved for approval and was quickly seconded by Commissioner Johnny Miller.  Corbett said he believed that the addition of the waterslide would enhance the beach experience for families and that it would not take up that much space.  He said that if it becomes a problem, it could be closed down.  Miller, citing Facebook comments supporting the waterslide, said that most people have expressed support for the project and say that they will use it.  Miller said that the slide could be used as a “litmus test” for other new beach activities.  He said that the slide is a great idea that will bring more children to the beach.  He agreed with Corbett that the city should try it and see how it works.

Brent Palmer, the Oceanus representative, responded to some commissioner concerns.  He said that the monthly cost to the city for power and water was around $150.   With respect to pricing, he reported that individual slides would cost $5 and a daily pass would cost $25.   Seasonal and resident discount packages would also be offered.  He reported that in order to alleviate beach parking and traffic issues, he was investigating using electric carts to bring people to the slide.  He also said that in other communities, the slide had caused no problems, adding that he had never been asked to leave or not return for another season.  After receiving assurances that the contract with Oceanus could be terminated if problems arose, both Pelican and Gass decided to support the measure.  Boner remained opposed.

Following the vote Robin Lentz, a local resident and middle school guidance counselor, praised commissioners for their thoughtful consideration and approval of the waterslide.  She said that the project is business friendly and would definitely be welcomed by the community’s youngsters.  She added tongue-in-cheek that the city’s grass, which is heavy with weeds, would recover from the slide activity.