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Decision delayed on Quail Hollow
By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County commissioners, for a second time, pushed off a decision on the fate of the Quail Hollow Golf Course. In a 3-2 vote, they opted to continue the issue until June 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Dade City. The intent is to give the golf course owner and Quail Hollow homeowners more time to settle differences. But, there is a wide gulf between an owner who wants to redevelop his unprofitable golf course, and homeowners who
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want to preserve their golf course community. “They want to stop the project,” said Barbara Wilhite, a land use attorney representing the golf course owner. Andre Carollo, of Pasco Office Park LLC, wants to close the golf course and build up to 400 single-family houses, 30,000 square feet of office/retail and 10,000 square feet of day care. Quail Hollow homeowners packed the boardroom at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse to again plead their case on May 9.
The outcome of the meeting was the same as it was at the April meeting — without a vote on the project, and with a continuance. Homeowners are challenging the project and the impacts of construction. “The runoff from construction will affect the water, the wetlands and the basin to the Hillsborough River,” said Anna Spencely. Homeowners also worry about a loss of property values, and increased traffic along inadequate roadways. See GOLF, page 15A
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Andre Pamplona, general manager for Royal Lanes, said the closing of a bowling alley has an impact on the community.
Royal Lanes prepares to turn off the lights for good By B.C. Manion
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It’s a place where leagues have battled for cash prizes and bragging rights, and little kids have had birthday parties. For some, it’s been a gathering spot with friends after work to bowl a few games and enjoy a few pitchers. For others, it was where they hung out when they were kids. Soon, however Royal Lanes bowling center, at 1927 Brinson Road in Lutz, will welcome its final bowlers and pack up its pins for good. The last day of operation will be May 21, said Andre Pamplona, the bowling center’s general manager. The bowling alley has been owned for a quarter-century by Sandy and Neville Woolf, of Canada, but they’ve decided to sell, Pamplona said. “My group was trying to purchase it. That’s what we came up to do, to try to salvage it and keep it a bowling center, but we got outbid.And, that’s it,” Pamplona said. “I knew of a potential sale to the other group. We were doing our best to try to finalize our deal.The numbers just wouldn’t work,” Pamplona said. “The land just got overvalued.” He’s not sure what the future use of the site will be, but he has heard that the building will be renovated for another use that has something to do with the automotive industry.
Soon this sign will be replaced by a new business occupying the site on Brinson Road, just off North Dale Mabry Highway, in Lutz.
He’s sorry to see Royal Lanes go, not just because he worked there, but because the community will miss it. “One of the things that owners don’t calculate is the impact to the community,” Pamplona said. But, he said he understands that the owner is making a business decision Still, Pamplona said,“Land O’ Lakes will suffer. Land O’ Lakes will hurt. People will have to drive out of their way to go to bowling centers.” See ROYAL, page 15A
This marks the 10th consecutive year that The Laker/Lutz News has published the names of every high school graduate in our local communities. The Class of 2017 amounts to more than 3,500 graduates in the eight high schools our community newspapers cover. In Pasco County, these graduates are from Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass and Zephyrhills high schools. And, in Hillsborough County, our graduates are from Steinbrenner and Freedom. Names of graduates are listed by school, in alphabetical order, in our Graduation Section beginning on page 5.You will find graduate names from the two high schools closest to where you live, and also the names of valedictorians and salutatorians from these schools. In addition to graduates from our public schools, you also will find the names of graduates from three private schools in our community — Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School and Land O’ Lakes Christian School. You don’t have to be a graduate, or relative of a graduate, to enjoy looking though our Grad Section. It can be fun, even rewarding, to find names of kids you know from your neighborhood, friends and acquaintances, church, community groups, sports teams and recreational activities. And, when you find a graduate you know, honor them by sending a congratulatory text, or better yet, give them a personal call. Congratulate your graduate for accomplishing an important goal in his or her life — one that is an essential stepping stone, as they go on to achieve many more. Graduates of the Class of 2017 have worked for years to fulfill the requirements to qualify for graduation. And, they are why today’s paper is important. Graduating from high school is a monumental accomplishment that will set these students on a path to success. We applaud the Class of 2017.
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Age 55-and-older Industry awards banquet will have trade show community gets private road By Kathy Steele
Ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Developers and residents often clash when it comes to land issues. But, on two issues involving roads relating to a proposed 55-and-older, gated community — there was a rare moment when both sides agreed. And, the developers and residents got the response they wanted from Pasco County commissioners, too. One issue involved eliminating the extension of Five Farms Avenue, that would connect Country Walk subdivision to the adult community planned in adjacent Wiregrass Ranch. See ROAD, page 15A
The Pasco Economic Development Council will adjust the format for its annual awards banquet to allow more networking and showcase an industry trade show, according to a news release from Pasco EDC. The 2017 Annual Awards will be at Saddlebrook Resort on Aug. 31. The event will have a shortened awards ceremony, and a brief report on Pasco County’s economic development progress. The awards recognize top companies in Pasco that excel in technology, innovation job creation, growth, capital investment and community development.The nomination deadline ended on April 28. In evaluating nominees, the Pasco EDC looks at job creation, increased capital investment and contributions to the community through civic involvement between January 2016 and June 2017. Industry awards are given in the following categories:
• Small (1-20 employees) • Medium (21-100 employees) • Large (101 or more employees) • Startup/New within past 24 months Pasco EDC has partnered with Pasco County government for more than three decades to attract businesses and create jobs in Pasco. In the past year, Pasco EDC helped to expand or relocate 17 companies, employing more than 1,100 people.This includes nearly 850 new jobs and about $145 million in capital investment. In other accomplishments, Pasco EDC: • Visited 69 Pasco companies and made See BANQUET, page 15A