Homes
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 27, 2002
A PLACE TO PLAY: Work has begun on recreational amenities at MiraBay, a 750-acre waterfront community in the SouthShore area of Hillsborough County. A clubhouse, tennis complex, two swimming pools and playground will form a recreational hub known as the MiraBay Club.
The two-story Old Coastal Florida-style clubhouse with a covered verandah and metal roof will provide residents with a fitness center, aerobics room, banquet hall, cafe and tanning salon. The resort pool will have a water slide, while the junior Olympic pool will have lap lanes.
Plans for the nearby Racquet Club include five lighted tennis courts and a lighted center court with stadium seating, with bocce and croquet at the East Lawn Court.
Also expected: a full-time activities director. The MiraBay Club is scheduled to open late next year.
SPEAKING OF PLAY: In the other corner of the county, Waterchase (on Race Track Road in northwest Tampa) has opened its $3-million community recreation complex.
Facilities include four lighted tennis courts, a junior Olympic swimming pool, a separate play pool with a two-story water slide, a state-of-the-art fitness center and aerobics studio, a multipurpose playing field, a basketball court and a playground.
WTS International Inc., the professional recreational facility management company at Waterchase, is now interviewing tennis pros.
SHOPPING AROUND: The average price of homes sold in South Tampa is about $337,000, according to the most recent statistics compiled by the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors. The average price in New Tampa is $257,000, and the average price in Lutz is $236,000.
-- Write to Janet Zink in care of the St. Petersburg Times at 1000 N Ashley Drive, Suite 700, Tampa, FL 33602; or by e-mail, janet.zink@gte.net .