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Wesley Chapel park is closer to reality
Negotiations begin this week for the 143-acre complex, which parents hope to use for soccer and other sports.
By GARRETT THEROLF
Published October 11, 2005
For years, Wesley Chapel parents have searched vacant spaces and high school football fields for places for their children to play soccer and other sports. Now they may finally be entering their last season without a county park to call home.
County staffers said Monday that negotiations with building contractors begin this week in hopes that the first phase of the 143-acre park will be completed by the end of 2006.
"We just need it so badly," said Tom FitzSimons, who has lobbied for the park ever since establishing the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association in 2000. "The kids are growing up without the ability to use the park."
The athletic association, which organizes sports programs for almost 2,000 children, has heavily lobbied for the park for five years.
As recently as this spring, county officials had promised to begin construction by the end of summer. But that date was scrapped because of a county decision also to widen Boyette Road and increase utility capacity in anticipation of development nearby.
Without a county park in the area, athletic organizations are forced to rent space from the local high school, use small parcels available in some subdivisions or travel to the nearest county facilities in Zephyrhills, Land O'Lakes or Dade City.
At a cost of $17.6-million, the park will be the largest and most expensive facility in the county system.
Plans call for eight soccer fields, two football fields, six baseball fields, four tennis courts, four basketball courts, playgrounds and picnic shelters.
A second phase will include a 25-yard pool with eight lap lanes and recreation center to be completed by the summer of 2007.
The park will be bordered by Overpass Road on the north, Boyette Road on the east and Interstate 75 on the west.
"Just the basics would do at this point," said FitzSimons.
--Garrett Therolf covers Pasco County government. He can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6232 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6232. His e-mail address is gtherolf@sptimes.com
[Last modified October 11, 2005, 01:58:15]
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