THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502150659
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Plans to erect an amusement park or playground for kiddies on the site where the Dome once stood were shot down Thursday by practicality.
Members of the Resort Area Advisory Commission were told that property, located at the heavily traveled intersection of 20th Street and Pacific Avenue, was not a good place for crowds of children.
Rob Hudome, coordinator of resort programs for the city's Department of Convention and Visitor Development, said consultation with other municipal officials resulted in agreement that the city should proceed with original plans to build more parking spaces on the tract.
``The site itself is not ideal for large groups of children,'' Hudome told commission members. Secondly, he said, ``The Dome site is being marketed for an entertainment center and we don't want to tie it up with a Kids Cove-type use.''
In January, commission members talked about establishing a temporary playground or carnival-style operation on the site once occupied by the Dome, a geodesic structure built in 1958 for use as a city convention center.
Hudome offered an alternative plan to erect playground equipment at sites at the north and south end of the resort beach, which fall under the shadow of Oceanfront motels in the afternoons.
``I suggest putting playground equipment on the beach itself,'' said Hudome.
He said the concept has been endorsed by the Urban Land Institute, a Washington-based think tank that specializes in urban land use planning.
Hudome's suggestion met with a tepid reception from commissioners like Cheyney Cole, who said the beach offered ample amusement for children without adding playground equipment to the oceanfront clutter.
Nevertheless, commissioners gave Hudome the nod to go ahead and explore the summertime placement of playground equipment on the beach.
Children of resort visitors will have another form of amusement, said Hudome.
City officials now are studying bids to place a carousel at the Norwegian Lady Park at 25th Street and the Oceanfront.
An operator should be selected within the month and the amusement ride, measuring 60 feet in diameter, should be whirling in place by this summer, he said.
Efforts by the advisory commission to come up with plans to amuse children of tourists stems from complaints by Oceanfront merchants that there are not enough activities, other than swimming or sun bathing, to engage visiting families at the Oceanfront.
The panel, which is responsible for overseeing resort programs and improvements, has been mulling over ways to establish temporary amusement centers on or near the resort beach, but have yet to settle on a plan that would meet practical and aesthetic guidelines established by the city. by CNB