A public meeting was held last week at Alhambra Hall to gage the community on their thoughts about a Youth Sailing Center being constructed at Alhambra Hall.

Over 60 residents turned out to express their resounding thoughts against such a project.

However, no one disagreed that Mount Pleasant needed to institute a youth sailing program.

They just didn’t want to see it at Alhambra Hall.

The Recreation Committee of Town Council met Monday morning to review the comments made by the residents who turned out. Committee members unanimously agreed to take the Alhambra Hall location proposal off the table.

Town Administrator Mac Burdette asked the committee to direct the town staff to meet with local sailing experts to better research youth sailing and associated programs and facilities.

A handful of Old Village residents appeared before the committee demanding a commitment that the subject of Alhambra Hall, as it relates to youth sailing would no longer be brought up. And if it was, they would have adequate notice so they could once again appear before the committee or Town Council to oppose such an option.

They were assured that Alhambra Hall was no longer being considered and options such as the newly purchased Shem Creek docks or Patriots Point would continue to be explored.

Nonetheless, they presented a petition with 105 signatures on it, signed by those against a facility at Alhambra Hall.

Committee Chairman Gary Santos, who has spearheaded the effort to get a youth sailing program in Mount Pleasant, said the intent of the public meeting was to reach out to the residents of Alhambra Hall and hear what they thought about a facility there. He said the meeting was not held to push the idea. Santos said the democratic process worked the way it was supposed to and based on the resident’s comments it was plainly clear that they didn’t want a sailing program in the Old Village.

Committee member Paul Gawrych said that no matter where such a facility goes, the common denominator will be safety.

He said there is great energy in supporting a sailing facility and that kind of energy can be put towards finding optimal locations, even temporary ones until all the pieces of the puzzle can be put into place. Gawrych suggested possibilities like the lake at KAO Kampground or I’On Lake.

Burdette said staff would look at interim ways to address the need for a youth sailing program such as renting space at Patriots Point or paying someone to offer the programs.

(Sully Witte can be reached at editor@moultrienews.com. See more stories at www.moultrienews.com).