Pepsi Machines at West Bank Park on Lake Lanier

Putting a soft-drink machine in a park isn’t newsworthy, right?  Right!  Unless the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) places Pepsi machines at West Bank Park, right here in Coke country!

The press release from the USACE began so well…

First firewood, then ice for sale in the campgrounds. What’s next?

Soda in the day use parks!

West Bank Park will be getting two new and fully stocked soda machines starting this Friday! The machines will take credit card or cash, and hold a sizable stock of drinks available to all park visitors. You’ll find the machines at the first bathroom behind the sand beach area.

Who knew those were fighting words to genuine Southerners!

Pepsi?  Instead of Coke?  Ohhhhh, what would Aunt Pittypat say?

The best part of the Facebook post was the responses to the news.  There were the usual complaints from complainers who complained the plastic bottles would end up in the water and how it’s wrong to pitch sugary junk food.

In response to one accusation about how the machines represented a waste of taxpayer money, the USACE wrote:

According to the Cooperating Association we partnered with, Pepsi offered a better deal than Coke.

That began fun threads:

• [USACE] should have asked us instead of the Cooperating Association and you’d have discovered Georgian’s prefer Coke. Nonetheless an improvement– just not something on which I’ll spend my money. KEEP THE LAKE FULL!
• From a native Atlantantan. “Better deal than Coke” made me laugh. You get what you pay for. I, and many Atlantans, refuse to purchase pepsi products. I’ll purchase the WATER only in an emergency. Those pepsi products might go out of date before they have to refill the machine..
• Mike & Lisa – yes, we’re very aware of this being HQ for Coke. Regardless we’re happy to be able to provide an additional service to the public, no matter who takes advantage of it (or doesn’t!).  Be you, do what you do. 

The final word from USACE:  The government isn’t paying anything for the Pepsi machines, the Cooperating Association we partnered with is footing any bill.

I don’t know about you, but I’m hankering for a refreshing glass of cold Diet Dr Pepper.

Lake Lanier USACE on Facebook