Commission to Make Final Decision on Land O’ Lakes Pool

If all goes well at today’s special Pasco County Commission meeting, the Land O’ Lakes Lightning Swim Team will take over most of the responsibility for running the

The final agreement between the county and the swim team is on the board’s consent agenda. In most cases, consent agenda items are approved by the board.

“It basically includes everything we wanted it to include,” said Brett Ewald, president of the Lightning. “I think everybody got what they wanted.”

Commissioner Pat Mulieri calls the agreement a win.

"In these difficult economic times, it is important to form partnerships with the private sector," she said. "Public-private partnerships are the future. I appreciate that the Lightning has stepped up to the plate. It will be a win-win situation for the county, the swim teams and residents."

The agreement enables the Lightning to take over day-to-day operations at the pool. It also calls for the county to continue offering public swim sessions during the summer season. The county will kick in $7,500 toward utility bills at the Land O’ Lakes facility.

The agreement between the county and the Lightning came about after the to save money earlier this summer. Facing about $400,000 in budget cuts in the parks and recreation department alone, the county saw the closing as an opportunity to save about $150,000 a year.

With the Lightning at the helm of the pool, the county will still save about $100,000 a year. The swim team will fund operations through its own membership fees.

Ewald said the general public can help ensure the pool continues to stay open not only by supporting the team, but also taking part in open swimming next summer.

“The public using the pool will keep this relevant next year,” he said.

Today’s commission meeting takes place at 37918 Meridian Ave. in Dade City. The meeting gets started at 10 a.m.

If the agreement is approved, the Lightning will take over operations on Oct. 1.