Wildwood commissioners have approved a request to park two dragon boats at Lake Deaton.
Members of the Sumter County Dragon Boat Club erupted in applause Monday morning in a meeting at City Hall when the motion passed 3-1 in favor of parking the boats at the lake. Prior to the vote, supporters approached the podium before the commission and presented their case for the boats.
The club advocated for the formation of a program for Wildwood and Sumter County high schools, wherein students would use dragon boats to learn the importance of teamwork, commitment and respect for nature. Using the lake to that end would offer students, as well as citizens of Sumter County, the chance to practice paddling and enjoy the water.
Their presentation was supported by Joe Misner, a director of the Wildwood Wildcats Booster Club, and Logan Brown, the superintendent of the Sumter County School District, both of whom spoke at the meeting.
“The practice and the teamwork and the life skills that these young people will gain through this opportunity is immeasurable,” said the school superintendent.
However, the introduction of dragon boating on Lake Deaton raised concerns with local fishermen and families who frequent the park.
Wade Watson, a lifelong resident of Sumter County, described potential issues with parking, as there are only 11 spots at the lake but 20 people per dragon boat. He also worried about the use of the piers and ramps, believing boaters would overcrowd spaces typically used by others as seen at Lake Miona where there are nine dragon boats available.
“We can’t have one lake?” said Watson. “We’re not asking for anything. We’re just asking you not to take it away.”
Mayor Ed Wolf agreed, adding that many locals feed their families from Lake Deaton. He himself recalled fishing the lake for 67 years and wanted to keep it as pristine as possible.
“I’d just like to see us leave something as close to how we found it as can be,” said Wolf.
The president of the club, Donnie Lies, addressed these concerns by assuring the commissioners he would enforce no parking on the blacktop or in the roundabout. Signs would be placed directing boaters where to go, with fines and being kicked off the team to follow if not obeyed. He stated practices for the single team would be three times a week but not on Sundays so as not to disturb familes, and students would be taught to respect the water.
“How do children learn to respect the environment, be good stewards?” said Lies. “If we don’t teach them, they throw beer cans in the water because nobody taught them.”
During the discussion that followed, Wolf held his position while Commissioner Joe Elliott motioned to approve the request. He thought it was a good idea, contingent on reviewing the club in a year to either resolve any issues or terminate the program.
“I think it’s got room for growth, room for use, and if there are problems, I think they could be overcome,” said Elliott of the program.