By Montreal Spencer/reporter

Two popular local theme parks among children and young adults, Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor, are aiming at a older crowd with their decision to apply for a liquor license to sell alcohol.

Some spectators believe Six Flags is only trying to sell alcohol because it is hurting for money, but John Bement, senior vice president of in-park services for Six Flags Over Texas, begs to differ.

“Truthfully, revenue is not the driving force here,” he said.

“For some time now, many of our guests have requested beer as an option while enjoying a meal at the park, and it’s really for that reason we’ve taken these steps,” he said in the Dallas Morning News.

Some other Six Flags theme parks, including Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, already serve alcohol.

Bement said the company would take strict measures to ensure that minors do not have access to alcohol in the park.

“We will have very strict guidelines in place, along with extensive training and auditing procedures, to make sure the serving is controlled,” he told the Morning News.

Some South Campus students, including Dominque Williams, agree Six Flags should be allowed to serve alcohol if both the drinkers and the park are responsible.

“As long as people can hold their liquor and drink responsibly, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about. As long as Six Flags cards everybody, it should be cool,” she said.

Some students are happy about the idea and plan on paying a visit to the park to have a drink to go along with some of the other festivities available.

“I think they should sell liquor so we can get ‘crunk’ at Six Flags. What if you want to celebrate a 21st birthday or something? It would be fun,” Charelle Bennett, South Campus student, said.

Others have an impression that alcohol could help alleviate some of the inconveniences that go along with a trip to Six Flags.

“I’m for it. The lines are so long, sometimes you just need a drink,” Zack Cloyd, South student, said.

“The Ballpark in Arlington gets to serve alcohol; Main Event gets to serve alcohol. They should be able to serve it at Six Flags,” Tore Mims, South student, said.

Other students totally disagree that Six Flags should be allowed to serve alcohol.

“I don’t think it’ll be a good idea because people could get rowdy and fights could happen. Or worse, teenagers could try to bribe adults to get them alcohol,” Jacob Medina, South student, said.

Another student knows from experience that it is probably not a good idea for Six Flags to serve alcohol.

“I worked for Hurricane Harbor, and I’ve seen people come in drunk causing problems,” Kenneth Busby, South student, said.

“They don’t know how much a person has had to drink before they got there,” he said. “Serving alcohol could just enhance the effect of the drinking they already had done in a hazardous environment.”

Some students think it is an unhealthy idea to serve alcohol.

“There are too many safety factors to take into consideration,” Laveria Bogan, South student, said.

“Six Flags is mainly seasonal, and alcohol is not a good mix with summer heat. Someone could dehydrate,” she said.

“I think it’s a raunchy idea because Six Flags is supposed to be a family environment,” Julie Roman, South student, said.

“Alcohol brings a behavior that is inappropriate and inhibitions are lowered,” she added.

“They’re not thinking about the guests,” she said.

“They’re thinking about the money.”

Regardless of anyone’s feelings, Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor will indeed be serving alcohol in the near future.

Only time will tell if it is a good or bad idea.