Pastor Clarifies Position On Ballpark, Beer
City Council Has Power To Restrict Alcohol Sales At Stadium
Last updated Wednesday, June 21, 2006 10:29 PM CDT in News
By Richard Dean Prudenti
The Morning News
SPRINGDALE -- The sale of alcohol is a "possible detriment" to families who would use a proposed multibillion dollar ballpark in Springdale, according to the Rev. Ronnie Floyd, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Springdale.
Floyd, who also leads the Church at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers, issued a news release Wednesday clarifying his position on the proposed ballpark and beer.
Floyd originally supported the project because it would provide for family entertainment and boost the local economy. Springdale city officials estimated an increase in revenue of about $600,000 a year through lease payments and taxes.
He backed away from his endorsement Tuesday because beer would likely be sold there.
"The sale of alcohol is a possible detriment," Floyd stated, adding he would "desire that the ballpark be built and that the sale of alcohol be prohibited."
Alan Damron, associate pastor for strategic communications for First Baptist Church, declined to elaborate whether the sale of alcohol means a negative endorsement from Floyd.
"The press release is the pastor's statement. That's all we need to say," Damron said.
The Springdale City Council has authority to restrict alcohol sales at the ballpark when leasing the property to a minor league baseball team or other organization.
"If that's what people want, I would support that restriction. I serve the people," councilman Bobby Stout said Wednesday.
Stout noted on a personal level he would prefer an alcohol-free environment.
"I would not like see some father, wife and daughter sitting down and watching a ballgame and someone on either side drinking a beer," he said.
Unless city leaders decide to prohibit alcohol sales as a part of the lease agreement, there is nothing to stop the lessee from seeking a permit from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to sell alcohol.
"That's never been discussed," Mayor Jerre Van Hoose said Wednesday afternoon concerning alcohol restrictions.
Councilman Ray Dotson said he doesn't feel right preventing a business from selling alcohol. "If I lease a commercial building to you, well, your income to pay me the rent may come from alcohol sales," he said Wednesday.
The Springdale Chamber of Commerce will continue promoting the construction of a stadium for not only economic reasons but to provide family entertainment, said Perry Webb, its president and chief executive officer.
"It's up to whoever leases the stadium whether they would serve alcohol," Webb said Wednesday.
"If this was not about family entertainment, nobody in Springdale would have anything to do with it," he said.
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