Beer, wine possible at Byron Lake restaurant

With the Byron Lake Pool project in Oakdale in full force and scheduled to open at the end of June, the Town of Islip placed a Request for Proposal earlier this month for a three-season restaurant and concession at the site, which will accept proposals until March 28.

A pre-proposal meeting was held on March 12, but the town was unable to disclose or comment on prospective developers in attendance.

Community members have discussed the project on social media, with the Oakdale Civic Association’s official page holding a poll on whether an establishment serving beer and wine would be welcomed, and 62 percent of voters said they would be in favor.

The official stance from the Oakdale Civic Association president David Chan was, “We are all excited regarding the renovations at Byron Lake, from the new pool grounds and the future of the lake. We all hope that the new plans for the park will be a positive addition to the Oakdale community.”

Ron Trotta, president of The Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce, who has represented business owners in Oakdale since the dissolution of the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce, said, “At this time, the chamber is gathering information on the project and we are seeking input from the local civic, local restaurant owners, and residents as their voice matters in all decisions surrounding this project.”

The RFP currently states that “should the selected respondent with to pursue a liquor license to serve wine and/or beer at the restaurant, it should do so with the understanding that any serving of alcoholic beverages shall be strictly limited to outside the pool’s operational hours.”

The town has also unambiguously stated that “in no event shall the service of hard liquor be permitted at the restaurant.”

Respondents to the RFP were also warned that “permission to serve wine and/or beer at the restaurant is not guaranteed.”

During the public portion at the March 19 town board meeting, Oakdale resident Lee Kennedy addressed the board citing concerns about alcohol being served at a place frequented by children. (The Town specified in the RFP that no alcohol could be served during pool hours which are from 10:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.).