Beer and wine license approved for virtual golf site
Early dismissals at local schoolsPolice raid reputed drug house in South EndTavares patriarch diesNew Bedford man pleads guilty to marijuana traffickingBeer and wine license approved for virtual golf siteWinter storm warning in effect for FridaySouthCoast braces for snowstorm LAKEVILLE — Virtual golf is close to becoming a reality in Lakeville.
Lakeville native Mark Kitchen, who lives in East Freetown, was approved, by a 2-1 vote, for a beer and wine license for his proposed virtual golf site on County Road at Freetown Street in the Mayflower Bank complex.
Mr. Kitchen, a former PGA golf pro, said he needs the license to compete with similar entertainment locations in Halifax and Plymouth.
He said he will have three golf simulators in the facility so golfers can play year-round. Golfers will hit their shots into a computer-generated screen in an enclosed facility.
People can rent the simulators by the hour, Mr. Kitchen said, so they are not going to be hanging around and drinking, which was one concern for neighbors, who also pointed out the proximity to the Apponequet school complex at the other end of Freetown Street.
It appears that the well at the site has been certified as a water source, selectmen Chairman Charles E. Evirs Jr. said. That was one concern before a license could be issued, that the site have a water supply.
Selectman Nancy Yeatts opposed the license, but not the business.
Her concerns about another entity coming into the location and having the license were answered by the selectmen, who applied restrictions to prevent that from happening.
Mr. Evirs said the license is for 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., is not transferable, is limited to 26 people in the facility at one time, and that public water is available as approved by the Board of Health and state Department of Environmental Protection.
"If another business were to seek this or another license, it would have to come before us and would have to be approved by the Board of Selectmen," Mr. Evirs pointed out.