Amusement rides return to Carolina Beach
Photo By Mike SpencerAmusement rides arrive near Carolina Beach boardwalk Monday, April 18, 2011.
By Shannan BowenShannan.Bowen@StarNewsOnline.com
By Shannan BowenShannan.Bowen@StarNewsOnline.com
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 .
With some new rules in place, the seasonal amusement park that has become a familiar backdrop along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is back for a third year.It was spring 2009 when a Florida-based amusement park operator and local business owners succeeded in gaining town approval for the amusement rides, concessions and games on five parcels surrounding the Boardwalk area, and the Carolina Beach Town Council gave another nod of approval last week for Robert Megerle's return this season.
Some rides were assembled this weekend, and Megerle told town officials he plans to have several running by Easter – which is Sunday – and a complete carnival operating Memorial Day weekend.
Megerle's conditional-use permit allows him to operate the amusement park each year or stop it at any time, and he is required to discuss plans with town officials before returning for another season.
This year, concerns emerged about an incident last year when a man who was a subcontractor and not an employee of Megerle's was accused of a sexual offense, Planning Director Gary Ferguson said.
The park's conditional-use permit requires criminal background checks on all ride operators and full-time employees and states that anyone convicted of a felony or a sexual offense shall not be hired.
In response to concerns, all employees now will wear identification photos indicating they work there.
But overall, town officials speak positively about the amusement rides, saying they have boosted tourism at the beach.read more at:http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110419/ARTICLES/110419609/-1/sports01?Title=Amusement-rides-return-to-Carolina-Beach#
With some new rules in place, the seasonal amusement park that has become a familiar backdrop along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is back for a third year.It was spring 2009 when a Florida-based amusement park operator and local business owners succeeded in gaining town approval for the amusement rides, concessions and games on five parcels surrounding the Boardwalk area, and the Carolina Beach Town Council gave another nod of approval last week for Robert Megerle's return this season.
Some rides were assembled this weekend, and Megerle told town officials he plans to have several running by Easter – which is Sunday – and a complete carnival operating Memorial Day weekend.
Megerle's conditional-use permit allows him to operate the amusement park each year or stop it at any time, and he is required to discuss plans with town officials before returning for another season.
This year, concerns emerged about an incident last year when a man who was a subcontractor and not an employee of Megerle's was accused of a sexual offense, Planning Director Gary Ferguson said.
The park's conditional-use permit requires criminal background checks on all ride operators and full-time employees and states that anyone convicted of a felony or a sexual offense shall not be hired.
In response to concerns, all employees now will wear identification photos indicating they work there.
But overall, town officials speak positively about the amusement rides, saying they have boosted tourism at the beach.read more at:http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110419/ARTICLES/110419609/-1/sports01?Title=Amusement-rides-return-to-Carolina-Beach#
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