Minimum wake debate spirited but not decisive

REDINGTON BEACH -- Boaters and waterfront property owners turned out en masse Tuesday night for a heated debate over the town commission's plan to create a minimum wake zone in the town's largest water basin.

They got their debate, but no decision.

The scheduled vote on the minimum wake ordinance was tabled indefinitely on the recommendation of the town's attorney, Dominic Amadio, who met just before the meeting with Jeffrey Blau, a resident and attorney.

Blau said the town must first get permission from the state, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before an ordinance creating a minimum wake zone can be considered.

The proposed minimum wake zone would affect the large basin between Redington Drive and the 161st Avenue Causeway. Boaters argued that a waterfront community should support watercraft activities, while many waterfront property owners complained that wakes, especially caused by personal watercraft, damage their docks and seawalls and create a hazard for swimmers.

Treasure Island

City officials want some help in renaming the recreation center on Paradise Island.

The Treasure Island Golf, Tennis & Recreation Center, which the city began operating in 1994, is frequently confused with the nearby Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club. When the clubhouse is called the recreation center, it is confused with the city's Community Center near downtown.

"It's a very lengthy name and it doesn't properly advertise that we have golf and tennis," said City Recreation Director Cathy Hayduke. "We want instant name recognition like Bardmoor or Twin Brooks -- you say it and you know where it is."

City commissioners on Tuesday are planning to appoint a seven-member committee to review suggestions and make recommendations for a new name. Hayduke said the public can submit suggestions during the next two to three weeks at City Hall, 120 108th Ave. The recreation department is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Suggestions also can be delivered to the recreation center at 10315 Paradise Blvd., which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The center has a nine-hole, par-3 golf course, eight clay and two asphalt tennis courts, a playground, a basketball court, a volleyball court, shuffleboard courts and horseshoe pits.

Indian Rocks Beach

In celebration of Labor Day, the Indian Rocks Beach Civic Association will sell hot dogs, snacks and cold drinks, including old-fashioned lemonade, Sept. 1 and 2.

Volunteers will staff the grill under a tent at the 18th Avenue beach access next to the county park from 11 a.m. to sundown each day.

Proceeds will benefit the 2003 Indian Rocks Beach Civic Association Scholarship Program. To volunteer, call Linda Clark at 595-0344.

-- The Beach Art Center, after being closed for August, will reopen Sept. 3.

Previous adult classes will resume, and new ones will be added to the schedule.

Classes selected for this year include watercolor at all levels; basic drawing and figure drawing, which will include working with live models; beginning and intermediate oils; stained glass; pastels and drawing; plein-air painting; Sumi-e or Oriental brush painting; acrylic and glass painting; pottery, both wheel-thrown and hand-built; and oil miniatures.

"Arts Adventure," a six-week course, will be held for children ages 8 to 12 on Saturday mornings Oct. 12 to Nov. 16. The $95 fee includes all materials and a snack. Call 596-4331 for registration and information for all classes.

The Beach Art Center is at 1515 Bay Palm Blvd., next to City Hall, in Indian Rocks Beach.

To obtain a complete class schedule, please call 596-4331.

-- To submit items for beaches notebook, e-mail wimmer@sptimes.com.

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