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 Regi...
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