History shows Civic Center could have sold alcohol for past 45 years

For years there has been chatter about serving alcohol at the Wicomico County Civic Center. Since 1946, there has been an alleged ban on alcoholic beverages on the property. Just after World War II, the Woodcock family had a vision for the youth of Wicomico County. 

They handed over their deed to the property on Glen Avenue, to let the County build a youth center, with the stipulation that no alcohol be served on the property.  While it was years before a youth center was actually built, the Woodcock’s wishes remained honored by the county. 

The County attorney researched the history of the property, and found that Mr. Woodcock signed the deed over to the County, and in good faith, the county continued to honor the alcohol ban through their own statute. Wicomico County then gave the deed to the Wicomico War Memorial Builders, a third party entity with the purpose of raising funds and constructing the civic center. In 1971, the WWMB handed the land back over to the county, and that is when the restriction against alcohol was extinguished according to the research.

While it’s hard to ignore the money that was left on the table after those 45 years of potential alcohol sales, Culver is staying focused on the road ahead.  Right now that road leads to the state legislature. Culver says the bill went through the Senate with the help of Senator Jim Mathias, and an economic matters hearing committee in the House passed the bill on Wednesday. The house floor is expected to vote this week, and if approved, will then need the governor’s signature to become law. Once the budget is passed, Culver says the Civic Center could be seeing alcohol sales by July 1st, 2016.

Culver says this is just one step on the bigger plan for the Civic Center. If alcohol is to be sold, he says when the new plan for seating is set it will include non-alcohol sections. Culver adds that alcohol would not be sold at events marketed towards children. The County hopes that this will be a draw for a semi-pro or minor league hockey or basketball team. Culver says the sales from the alcohol would help run the civic center.