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Tennis stadium moves closer to budget boost

The county tourism board recommends adding another $2.2-million to the project.

By DAVID DeCAMP
Published February 16, 2007

WESLEY CHAPEL - Pasco County's Tourist Development Council has endorsed adding $2.2-million in taxes to the budget to build a tennis stadium.

But the decision Thursday didn't come without pointed questions over Saddlebrook Resort owner Tom Dempsey's early plans to run the 15-court complex next to his golf and tennis refuge in Wesley Chapel.

"I've heard the criticism that Dempsey's backing this all for himself, it's all for him," said Dempsey, who grew increasingly testy in front of the board. "Well, that's baloney."

As building the over-budget stadium moves forward, the exchanges at the meeting inside Dempsey's resort showed other possibly difficult questions linger.

The tourism board endorsed spending more money because construction costs had blown past the $5.7-million budget approved by the County Commission in 2002. The commissioners will be asked to approve the extra millions March 13.

All $7.9-million will come from Pasco's tax on hotel stays. About $10-million is budgeted to be available this year.

Under the proposal, Saddlebrook would manage the tennis complex for at least a decade, making it a national tournament venue. The county would own the 24-acre complex, which is on land donated by the Porter family of Wiregrass Ranch.

The county and Saddlebrook can back out of the deal if the cost goes above $8.2-million. Any cost above the new budget would be advanced by Saddlebrook, which would be reimbursed from stadium revenue.

But a management agreement also must be approved. County Commissioner Jack Mariano said that will be the way to address issues about the public's access, and notably, who gets profits from tournaments.

Funneling more tax money has rekindled complaints by County Commissioner Michael Cox that the stadium money is "welfare for the rich."

While admitting Saddlebrook would benefit, Dempsey said Pasco would, too. And he defended the project's value beyond the tennis-playing rich.

"As far as being for the affluent, take a look at where they come from," he told the board. "Where do the Williams sisters come from? They came from the ghetto."

He and Mariano also fenced over tournament profits. The county would get the stadium rental fee, which is roughly $50,000 for a major event.

But profits would go to Saddlebrook, which has to guarantee services and arrange sponsors to pay costs, Dempsey said.

"You're taking something of an unusual thing and making an issue out of it," Dempsey said.

"I'm not trying to make an issue out of it," replied Mariano, tourism board chairman.

To Mariano's disagreement, Dempsey said he wants to charge people about $3 an hour to play on the surrounding courts. The stadium court would be off-limits for casual play. The plans also provide for lights at only the 5,000-seat stadium, not at any of the 14 surrounding courts.

Dempsey said few people want to play tennis in Florida at night. That came as news to board member Toby Caroline of Paradise Lakes nudist resort, who said its six courts are lighted.

Again, Mariano wanted fees dropped and more lights.

"If there's enough money" in the $7.9-million, Dempsey said, "I'm all for it."

David DeCamp can be reached at 727 869-6232 or ddecamp@sptimes.com.

[Last modified February 15, 2007, 23:59:53]