Sunday, January 10, 2010

Tennis Stadium? Sportsplex Complex? Lacrosse Fields? What's behind door number 4?

Let's Make A Deal...  For years now Pasco County has been trying to make a decision on what to do with its Pasco tourist tax dollars to generate "heads in beds" for Pasco County.  County commissioners seem convinced that a sports venue is the answer, but can't seem to "make a deal".  For years a deal with Saddlebrook Resort over a Pasco National Tennis Center to be located in Wesley Chapel seemed just around the corner.  It crashed and burned in May of 2009 and the Pasco Board of County Commissioners went in another direction, ultimately zeroing in a Sportsplex USA project.  The Sportsplex USA project appeared to "crash and burn" about two weeks ago, and in the past week a new proposal has been made by Saddlebrook Resort for lacrosse fields in Wesley Chapel.  Huh?

Editor, C.T. Bowden of the St. Pete Times today offers us an Opinion piece on this and it is worth the read.  St. Pete Times Opinion Piece Link

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lacrosse?!?!?!? How about something the public can use. How about a complex with a few indoor racquetball courts, some outdoors, some tennis, basketball and pools. Something for not just tourists but for people who live here

Dave said...

Pasco really needs to look at something that produces a steady revenue stream, will be around for 50 years and once built, will not rely on county money. Spending this kind of money on a once a year event that you have no guarantee will return is insane. They would be better of building paying for the interchange and road improvements at RT 52 to support the proposed Pasco Town Center (outlet malls attract a lot of tourists). This would be beneficial on two fronts: Tax revenue and Saddlebrook would be a step closer to being able to develop their new development (with a bond funded sports complex). A win-win for both the county and Saddlebrook.