The LAKER
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EAST PASCO EDITION
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
M AY 3 1 , 2 0 1 7
Efforts to begin to ease area congestion
By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
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Traffic is a mess at the Interstate 75 interchange with State Road 56. On the plus side, that’s an indicator that new development in the area is boosting Pasco County’s economy. More of that development is on the way. But, it’s putting more people and more vehicles on inadequate roads. A project set to start in 2018 is expected to help reduce the traffic snarls at the I75/State Road 56 interchange. "There are huge amounts of traffic being generated," said Ryan Forrestel, principal at American Consulting Engineers. A traffic analysis found that during daily
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The diverging diamond interchange includes lanes that crisscross, fewer traffic signals and signage to help ease traffic congestion. This aerial shows this type of traffic pattern at such an interchange in Missouri.
rush hours, vehicles are backed up for 1 mile to 2½ miles. Most motorists are waiting at traffic signals to make left turns onto I-75, or off of it. During a May 23 session, Forrestel provided a timeline for the construction of a $24.1 million diverging diamond interchange that is expected to relieve traffic. He made his remarks to a gathering of about 30 people, at an event hosted by The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at the Mercedes-Benz automobile dealership, off State Road 56. The meeting was focused on providing information to owners and operators of area businesses. See CONGESTION, page 11A
Firm selected to manage planned tennis center
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By Kevin Weiss
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
The Zephyrhills City Council has selected a firm to run the city’s proposed tennis complex, the latest step in guiding the ambitious project forward. During a May 22 meeting, council members unanimously agreed to enter negotiations with Pennsylvania-based firm Tennis P.R.O. LLC, to operate and manage the proposed tennis facility. Construction could begin by year’s end. The council also considered Tennis Management Partners and Net Results, before making its choice. Tennis P.R.O. is owned by Pascal Collard, the director of tennis at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy in Wesley Chapel, from 2003 to 2006. He currently serves as the tennis director at The Merion Cricket Club, a private club in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Once finalized, the public-private partnership agreement will first call for Tennis P.R.O. to offer input to the facility’s final engineered site design and architectural plans. Elsewhere, the firm will be responsible for local tennis operations, and facilitating other elements such as membership and fundraising. City Manager Steve Spina said the arrangement mirrors the one Zephyrhills has with the East Pasco Family YMCA, in which the city owns the building property, but outsources programming and facility management. Councilman Lance Smith was enthusiastic about the concept. “Having a professional firm that knows what they’re doing and can operate it properly is the way to go, in my mind,” Smith said. The planned Zephyrhills Tennis Center will be located on 4.7 acres of donated land
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This rendering of the Zephyrhills Tennis Center shows 10 courts (eight clay, two hard surface), three mini-courts and one exhibition court. The tennis center is also expected to feature a pro shop, a multifunctional community room, and two office spaces. A second level, if added, will contain an observation deck, players lounge and concessions.
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The planned tennis facility is expected to be named the Sarah Vande Berg Memorial Tennis Center, after the former Zephyrhills High School district champion who became a scholarship player on the University of South Carolina Upstate women’s tennis team. Vande Berg, the daughter of the Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg, tragically died in an automobile accident at the age of 21 in October 2015.
at The District at Abbott’s Square, a new real estate development situated north of Dean Dairy Road and west of Simons Road. Renderings unveiled in November show the estimated $2.19 million project includes 10 courts — of which eight are clay and two are hard surface. Plans also show three mini-courts and one exhibition court, built to U.S Tennis Association (USTA) professional standards. The complex also is expected to feature a pro shop, a multifunctional community room, and two office spaces. Recreation impact fees from The District at Abbott’s Square and other developments will be used to finance most of the the facility’s construction costs, city officials say. But, additional frills — such as a clubhouse and observation deck — would likely need to be financed by the city and other funding sources, including, USTA grants, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grants, Penny for Pasco, and partnerships with Pasco County Parks and Recreation, and Pasco County Tourism. Once operational, memberships will be See TENNIS page 11A
Wiregrass sports complex expected to open in 2019 The focus will be on involving youth from the community in as many sporting opportunities as possible, he said. The Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco A minor league system for youth ages 9 County could be open as soon as spring through 18 will be organized for cheerlead2019, Richard Blalock, chief executive offi- ing, basketball, volleyball, soccer and cer of RADD Sports said last week. lacrosse. Participants will be required to The sports management and develop- maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade average. ment company anticipates finalizing A prep level will be available for youths, agreements with Pasco County by August. ages 5 through 8. The construction of the 98,000-square-foot But, sports won’t be the only skill taught. indoor sports complex is expected to take “We want to develop these kids not only 18 months, though Blalock is hopeful it can as athletes, but as citizens,” Blalock said. be done within 14 months. For youth that don’t want to Blalock and Anthony Homer, actively participate in a sport, the company’s vice president of Blalock said they would have opdevelopment, gave an update on portunities to join a Coach’s Club the project at the monthly ecoor Elite Manager’s Club, to learn nomic briefing luncheon hosted skills such as scorekeeping, officiby The Greater Wesley Chapel ating and team management. Chamber of Commerce on May For elite athletes who are 25. being recruited, RADD Sports Work already is underway to will help with media technology, line up events, sports leagues such as webcasts, to showcase and coaches for a facility that their talents. will operate on Monday through Richard Blalock The Pasco County Thursday as a community-based Commission agreed in April to sports center, Blalock said. negotiate with RADD Sports for Weekends will be set aside to host tour- the $25 million sports complex.About $15 naments, competitions and other events million to $17 million in funding will be that will generate hotel stays and tax rev- from a bank loan, secured with a proposed enues for the county, he said. 2 percent increase in the county’s tourism “We’re not sitting back waiting,” he said. tax. Nearly $11 million is from previously “We’re in the community actively engaging. pledged tourism dollars, and sales tax revWhen the doors open, we want to be run- enues. ning and generating,” Blalock added. County commissioners must approve an For instance, Blalock plans to meet with See WIREGRASS, page 11A the head coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
By Kathy Steele
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COURTESY OF WESLEY CHAPEL HIGH SCHOOL
Mauricio Lorenzo worked right up to the last day before graduating with Wesley High School’s Class of 2017.
2017 graduates given second chance with new program By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Graduating from high school typically is a special day for members of the graduating class, and their families. But, there’s a group in Wesley Chapel High’s Class of 2017 for whom graduation on May 26 at the University of South Florida Sun Dome was particularly meaningful. See GRADUATES, page 11A