SEA ISLE CITY – A resident expressed concern at Sea Isle City’s Council meeting Aug. 28 that the resort’s Polar Bear Plunge weekend, held each February during President’s Day Weekend, might be negatively affected by the sale of the La Costa Lounge and Deck Bar.
“I’m asking council members to pay attention to what happens after this sale goes through. La Costa has been the official sponsor of these weekend-long festivities for the Polar Plunge for many years, and this is a crucial event for Sea Isle,” the person said.
The cause for alarm regarding the future of the plunge was a confirmed report that the establishment with its large parking lot at the busiest corner of Sea Isle City, on JFK and Landis Avenue, has been sold.
According to this information, the property will transfer ownership as part of a $7.3-million deal to a local real estate development firm.
Annually, Sea Isle City’s Polar Plunge Weekend attracts tens of thousands of people during what would otherwise be a very quiet time for the municipality, and especially for its lodging providers and rental owners, restaurants, bars and other businesses.
The event kicks off with the crowning of the Polar Bear Royal Family starting with the Prince and Princess Contest (ages 12 to 16) followed by the King and Queen Contest (ages 21 and up).
La Costa has been the principal sponsor and traditional center of these and other indoor activities to stay warm including live music throughout the weekend.
Other plunge events that unfold at La Costa include a costume contest before the wintery ocean dip on the Saturday at 2 p.m. of the long holiday weekend.
On the Sunday of that weekend, there is the traditional Walk for Autism sponsored by Mike’s Seafood and more music indoors.
LaCosta operator since 1993, James Bennett, who leases the physical premises, has stated his intent to continue La Costa activities as usual until the lease expires in October 2019.
Reports around the time of the announcement of the sale this June stated that local developers Christopher Glancey and Bob Morris agreed to buy the site and surrounding property.
The $7.3-million purchase price includes the adjacent Coast Motel, the Casino Steaks & Pizzeria eatery and a parking lot.
Those three parcels together comprise the 1.25-acre property which has been sold and is owned by To-Glo Corp. It is thought that the parcel will be turned into commercial businesses on the lower level and residential units on the top level.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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