Land offer makes a splash

When the Lakewood Ranch YMCA dissolved its USA Swimming-affiliated Blackfins swim team in April 2016, Manatee County soon launched discussions to convert its nearest pool, at John Marble Park, into a year-round swim facility.

Those plans have been realized and more improvements are coming. However, East County youth soon may be able to swim closer to home. A new aquatics center in Lakewood Ranch may be next, thanks to a proposal by Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

On June 12, SMR’s President and CEO Rex Jensen proposed donating the underlying 126.9 acres of Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch to Manatee County and include an additional 36-acre piece reserved for a future aquatics complex. That parcel is located immediately north of Premier.

“There is not an aquatics center out east for the school students who are on swim teams, and we don’t have a splash park,” said Vanessa Baugh, the Manatee County District 5 commissioner. “It is something we need for our citizens.”

The deal proposes the aquatics center would have to be built within five years on the property at the county’s expense. It also asks Manatee County to pay $5.2 million for the improvements at Premier, which include 22 irrigated fields, lighting and miscellaneous buildings, including a stadium.

SMR hopes the deal can close by Dec. 15. Jensen, in a letter to Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker, commented he hoped the land would be operated “as a blend of a regional park and a tourism generator for the greater area. The appropriate mix of those two functions will likely change as the surrounding area develops, but the facility should continue to play some significant role in tourism development after the transfer.”

Jensen was away on vacation and unavailable for comment.

SMR Vice President of Marketing Laura Cole said SMR will continue to operate Premier “business as usual” as the county contemplates the offer.

“In our view, PSC has tremendous potential to grow its stature as a competitive venue while serving the residents of Manatee County through enhanced facilities,” Cole said. “This means tourism dollars for Manatee County, growth in the sports performance cluster that is being targeted for economic development, and recreational facilities operated under Manatee County Parks and Recreation, an entity whose mission and focus will ensure the long-term success of the PSC.”

Although Cole said she couldn’t speak for Jensen as to why Premier was being offered to the county, she noted “We can only invest so much into (Premier), and it allows the sports complex to grow.”

Cole said the land offered in the deal has been estimated to be worth approximately $16 million if it were to be developed.

Manatee County has no money specifically allocated for such a venture as acquiring Premier or adding an aquatic center to the site. However, Manatee County Director of Parks and Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker is recommending the acquisition be funded through parks impact fees.

The cost for the aquatic center would be determined based on the scope of the facility.

Hunsicker said adding the campus fits with the county’s long-term master plan for parks and would create opportunities for area children and youth. He does not expect a change in operation or programming at this time and plans to continue relationships with tournament companies and providers, not only for recreational opportunity but for revenue and recovery of expenses.

“This is a sound opportunity to provide the Manatee County community with a full-service sports venue and the additional capacity needed for the thousands of children already enrolled in league play for soccer, lacrosse and many other (sports),” Hunsicker said, adding the Bradenton Area Sports Commission could continue promoting out-of-town tournaments and sport skill camps.

“The current staff at Premier has the experience and skill set that is needed to meet our future goals for drawing in tournaments, other specialty athletics and, where appropriate, festivals and events that the community has enjoyed in the past,” he said.

His department hopes to retain the existing staff at Premier, if possible, moving forward. That option is outlined in SMR’s proposal.

Baugh said a $20 million gift of land (in her estimate) is not something to take lightly, although the county must complete its due diligence.

“It would be a wonderful thing for the citizens of the county,” she said of the acquisition. “What we need to figure out is how we can pay for it, and how we handle it after we pay for it. Then the other thing is the reoccurring cost of maintenance and payroll and upkeep. There’s a lot to talk about there, but I feel when it’s all said and done it will be a deal the county can’t just turn down.”

Baugh said the County Commission will have a workshop on the subject in August after it returns from its summer break.

Sean Walter, senior manager for the Bradenton Area Sports Commission, said the agency sponsored 14 major events at Premier in fiscal year 2015-2016. Three more had been planned, but were rained out.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of Manatee County’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the bureau will continue to attract out-of-town tournaments for Premier, whether it is privately or county owned, and help ensure there is a correct balance between out-of-town and local play.

“It’s wait and see,” he said of the county’s possible acquisition. “We stand ready.”