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LAND O’ LAKES/LUTZ EDITION
MAY 20, 2015
Ice rink complex gets name By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
A naming contest for the ice rink complex under construction in Wesley Chapel drew some 200 suggestions. And, the winner is: Florida Hospital Center Ice. The name and logo were unveiled May 14 by Florida Hospital representatives and Gordie Zimmermann whose company, Z Mitch, is building the 150,000-square-foot ice rink and sports complex. The name is fitting, said Zimmermann, because so much takes place in a rink at center ice. That includes face-offs over hockey pucks and figure skaters waiting for their PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLORIDA HOSPITAL CENTER ICE music cues to begin their programs, he said. “It truly is a center for sports. It has a Hockey fans watch from the sidelines in this interior rendering of Florida Hospital Center See ICE, page 9A
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Ice, an ice rink and sports complex under construction at the State Road 56 and Interstate 75 interchange.
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Circle K plans to tear down the Land O’ Lakes Plaza to build a new 5,000-square-foot convenience store with gas pumps and a car wash.
Circle K buys the Land O’ Lakes Plaza By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
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Circle K is the new owner of the Land O’ Lakes Plaza, a nearly 50-year-old shopping center along the busy commercial corridor of U.S. 41, at Hale Road. The plaza, built in 1966, is considered to be Land O’ Lakes’ first shopping center. Today, the approximately 2.4-acre plaza is occupied mostly by mom-and-pop enterprises including a barbershop, a liquor store, a café, a nail salon and an antique shop. The $1.55 million sale between the plaza’s owner, A & M Somerset Inc., and Circle K closed about two weeks ago, according to Georgia Watson, a broker with
Grimaldi Commercial Realty Corp. She represented A & M Somerset in the transaction. “It was purchased as an investment,” Watson said. “It was purchased strictly to redo the property. The whole shopping center will be demolished.” Circle K has filed a conceptual plan with Pasco County’s planning department for a 5,000-square-foot Circle K store with gasoline pumps and a car wash. Currently there is an older Circle K and Shell gas station at U.S. 41 and Hale, immediately north of the plaza. County records show Circle K General Inc., bought that adjacent corner site in 1987. The property was sold in 2004 to RI CS2 LLC, but continued to operate as a Circle K store and gas station. Development
plans filed with the county do not show what will happen to the existing Circle K. Circle K representatives could not be reached for comment. The trend in recent years is for brands, such as WaWa, Thorntons and Circle K, to build modern, more trendy gas and convenience stores,Watson said. WaWa representatives had looked at the site, she said, but didn’t pursue a contract. “This (Circle K) seems to be the best fit.” The new development is a welcome addition, Watson said. “Land O’ Lakes has kind of been behind Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Odessa. They are growing much faster than we are,” she said. “It’s nice to see some good activity going on.”
Lutz Guv’na hopefuls clash in fun-filled debate By Michael Murillo
mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
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This past Saturday, three residents went to the Old Lutz School and lied to their neighbors. One pledged to ban homework for all children. Another promised to build a giant rainbow. A third guaranteed everyone beautiful waterfront property. Then they tried to hit everyone up for money. And, they’re going to keep doing it all the MICHAEL MURILLO/STAFF PHOTO way up until July 4. From left, Cheryl Ayers, KarenSue Molis and Jennifer Rankin faced some silly questions at the Lutz It sounds like a shameless Guv’na debate May 16, and they responded with equally silly answers. way to treat your neighbors, but that’s what Lutz expects out of their Guv’na candidates. claim the coveted winner’s sash. Perkins has fulfilled her Guv’na duties, Those wanting the ceremonial title must Their performances impressed the cur- which included activities like being a judge prove they’re silly enough to deserve it. And rent Guv’na. at a fair, throwing out a first pitch at a softthe winner must raise the most money, “They were good. They were funny. This ball game and attending a Boys Scouts’ which goes to local organizations after a is something that you don’t take too serious- event. new Guv’na is declared. ly,” said Dr. Cindy Perkins, who won a close As outgoing Guv’na, she was able to So, Jennifer Rankin, KarenSue Molis and race last year by raising just a little bit more enjoy the festivities on the other side of the Cheryl Ayers gathered at the school on May than the other candidates. Together, last table, and watch the candidates get put 16 to answer questions, show off unusual year’s candidates raised about $9,000, which See GUV’NA, page 9A talents and prove they have what it takes to went to around 20 different groups.