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Sports complex proposals under scrutiny By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Two proposals for a Wiregrass Ranch sports complex passed muster with an evaluation committee searching for the right concept to maximize sports tourism in Pasco County. These proposals serve up a buffet line of amenities including large, indoor gymnasiums with multiple playing courts, an amphitheater, a hotel or two, lighted turf fields and some outdoor ball fields. Finalists were Clearwater-based Sports
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Facilities Management and RADD Sports, in partnership with Mainsail Development Group and Municipal Acquisitions LLC. Four companies had submitted proposals. The committee met Sept. 12 and will meet again before either deciding on their recommendation to the Pasco County Commission, or requesting more information. “I’m definitely excited about this,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. The array of indoor sports that will be available, in addition to the traditional baseball fields, is especially important, he said.
“Pasco’s recreational baseball is becoming too saturated,” Moore said. And, whichever proposal is chosen, Moore said, “This is something we don’t have in our market.” In September 2015 a study from Chicago-based Johnson Consulting Co., suggested that Pasco should focus on building a large indoor gymnasium for sports and activities such as basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading and martial arts. While a few outdoor playing fields also should be built, the study found that indoor, See COMPLEX, page 19A
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Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel is expected to have a ground-breaking in early 2017 at the Cypress Creek Town Center.
Hyatt Place to be at Cypress Creek Town Center By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Construction on Hyatt Place Hotel & Conference Center is expected to begin in early 2017, according to a news release from the project’s development team. Impact Properties Inc., Sierra Properties and the Hyatt Hotels Corporation are partnering on the 130-room hotel and conference center on the northern side of State Road 56, across from Tampa Premium Outlets. Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel will be the first Hyatt hotel in Pasco County and the first hotel within the more than 500 acres currently under development at the Cypress Creek Town Center. According to Hyatt’s website, Hyatt Place guests are “mid- to upper-income
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Gen X travelers who expect modern conveniences and product design to accommodate their multi-tasking, 24/7 lifestyle.” Hyatt Place will have 130 rooms, with areas for sleep, work and play, as well as sofa sleepers as an extra feature. There will be free Wi-Fi, a round-theclock “Gallery Menu” with freshly prepared meals any time of day. Free hot breakfasts also will be available daily. A Coffee to Cocktails Bar will feature specialty coffees, premium beers, wines and cocktails. The conference center will have about 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, with state-of-the-art technology. A 24-hour fitness center will feature cardio equipment with LDC screens and free ear buds.
The mixed-use Cypress Creek Town Center is a showcase for growth in the State Road 56 area, located at the Interstate 75 interchange and the juncture of State Road 56 and State Road 54. The center is approved for up to 2 million square feet of retail, hotel, apartments and offices. Along with hotel construction, the first phase of development will include 230 upscale apartments and 10 new restaurants and shops, according to the press release. In front of the outlet mall, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chick-fil-A and Culver’s have opened within past months. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and Longhorn Steakhouse are under construction. As part of Cypress Creek Town Center, Ford’s Garage, Pollo Tropical, Wendy’s and Taco Bell are awaiting permits.
Spooky Tails: All treats, no tricks for K-9s Service the Way it Oughta Be!
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SPECIAL SECTION inside this week
Gail Cooper loves dogs. She is quick to share photos of her favorite four-legged members of the family. More than 10 years ago, her doggie love and a photo swap session with a friend produced a spur-of-the-moment idea for a Halloween party for dogs. Cooper quickly gave the party – dubbed Spooky Tails – a community purpose. She made the event a fundraiser for the Pasco County Sheriff’s K-9 unit. The 10th annual Spooky Tails will take place Oct. 8 at Cooper’s Parwick Kennels at 22129 Carson Drive in Land O’ Lakes. Cosponsor of the Halloween party and pet costume contest is Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano. From noon to 4 p.m., the public is invited to enjoy an afternoon of food, music, games and prizes. “It’s a good family event,” Cooper said. Parking is available across the street from Parwick Kennels. Golf carts will ferry individuals, families and their dogs to the party site. Texas Roadhouse and Uptown Pizza are the food vendors. Other vendors will have displays and booths, with dog and pet items for sale. Participating businesses and community agencies include Busy Bee Crafts, Lutz Animal Hospital, The Spring of Tampa Bay, Ierna’s Heating and Cooling, and Pet City. Past events have collected money to buy a Bite Suit to help train K-9 dogs or other training equipment.This year, donations will go toward the retirement fund which helps See SPOOKY, page 19A
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TRU Simulation + Training will expand and add 100 jobs over the next four years.
Lutz company plans $30 million expansion By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
TRU Simulation + Training has announced a nearly $30 million expansion of its Pilot Training Center in Lutz, along with the addition of 100 new jobs. The new jobs will evolve over four years as TRU Simulation + Training expands its ProFlight Pilot Training programs. Construction will add about 30,000 square feet for classrooms, flight training devices and four new full flight simulators. The company, with headquarters in Goose Greek, South Carolina, provides flight-training solutions, technical support, and customer service for commercial and
military markets. The expansion will be completed by November. The Pasco Economic Development Council worked with Pasco County staff members on the site planning and permitting process. This is the second expansion for TRU Simulation + Training. In 2015, the company converted 15,000 square feet of existing space for training center operations. The company manufactures flight simulators and is an FAA-certified Part 142 OEM-supported pilot training center for aviation products from Textron, the parent corporation of TRU Simulation + Training.