Agenda Item Name:
Title
Potential Site Locations for an Aquatics Center
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Presenter:
Charlie Houder, 264-6804
Description:
Staff is presenting information about publicly owned lands that may be suitable for the development of an aquatics center as alternatives to Camp McConnell.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Provide staff with direction for further action to identify a site for an aquatics center.
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Prior Board Motions:
9/10/2019
The Board requested staff to develop a scope for footprint for aquatic center, based on space needs (i.e. 30 acres near I-75 south, per Mr. Huelsman); provide a preliminary inventory of potential public lands (not limited to County-owned property) where facility could be placed, but first back to BoCC for policy review discussion; propose process for partners/tenants to build an aquatic center and how uses would benefit private/public uses.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
N/A
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Background:
Concurrent with the Board’s consideration of a purchase and sale agreement Camp McConnell, David Huelsman submitted the Camp Florida proposal for the redevelopment and operation of the property as a camp and aquatics center. Upon the approval of the agreement to sell the property, the Board directed staff to look at potential alternatives for realizing a facility as described in the Camp Florida proposal.
Staff has conducted a preliminary review to identify properties currently in public ownership where such a facility could be built. After considering the various legal, environmental, and practical constraints, two sites in addition to Camp McConnell seem to meet the criteria of 30 acres on the south side of Gainesville in close proximity to I-75: the Wacahoota Tract owned by Alachua County, and Diamond Sports Park owned by the School Board of Alachua County.
The Wacahoota Tract contains 194 acres managed by the Conservation Lands Division as a preserve. The property has not yet been added to the Registry of Protected Public Places. Gator Bowmen, Inc. operate an archery range on 70 acres of the property under a license agreement that runs through September 30, 2023. There are approximately 50 acres in the northeast portion of the property with frontage on SR 121 that are outside the licensed area.
Diamond Sports Park on Parker Road contains approximately 67 acres. Ball fields occupy the eastern 40 acres of the property, but the western 27 acres are undeveloped. This property was slated as the location for a new high school. Staff contacted Suzanne Wynn, Director of Community Planning, to determine the potential availability of the property, but we have not yet received a definitive statement in that regard.