Published: Friday, Jan. 25, 2013 / Updated: Friday, Jan. 25, 2013 12:14 PM
Ski team gets OK for docks at Tega Cay, awaits another
Tega Cay waits for final OK from feds
TEGA CAY --
Tega Cay could be a “major” step closer to hosting a large, regional show ski team event following a city decision Jan. 22.
City Council approved a dock license agreement that would allow docks on the Torrence Creek side of Windjammer Park. Carolina Show Ski Team would pay for construction and maintenance to be allowed use of the dock at agreed-upon times with the city.
The public could use the docks when the ski team isn’t.
The agreement runs through 2017, but could automatically renew through 2020 if neither party wishes to alter it.
The agreement is contingent upon approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which was expected “any day now,” said Charlie Funderburk, interim city manager. A decision period ran through mid-December, though the city and ski team hadn’t heard an update as of the Jan. 22 meeting.
“It’s in FERC’s hands at this point,” Funderburk said.
If the docks are constructed, they would be part of an effort to bring a major show ski team event to Tega Cay as early as this summer. In late 2011, the team began work to bring a southern regional qualifier event featuring a handful of squads.
The plan, and even the continuation of Carolina Show Ski Team in Tega Cay, hinged on getting the docks in place, said long-time member Russ Frase.
“It’s been a long journey,” Frase said just after the city’s decision. “The waterskiing community will be proud.”
The regional event would be in June and still would require the group to raise $25,000. Frase expects to know more on the bidding process by mid-February.
“This was major,” he said of the city decision.
Lengthy discussion preceded the city vote, centering not on whether the docks were needed or useful, but instead on the logistics of maintaining them, and liability issues.
“I’m comfortable that we want to do this, I just want to get it right,” Councilwoman Dottie Hersey said. “At the end of the day it’s city property.”
Previous problems with city croquet courts were brought up, where the city had to make some payments for repairs that weren’t originally planned.
Council members did say they fully expected the ski team to be able to manage the docks, largely since the team would be the main user.
“They’ve got their own children going on it,” Councilman Ron Kirby said.
The city still can set additional rules and regulations on use of the docks and has the power to terminate the agreement if necessary.
Council is hopeful that the new docks, if approved, will be something positive and not negative for Tega Cay.
“It’s a great addition to the city,” Councilman Chris Landvik-Larsen said.
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