• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

New owner, new attitude

November 1, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Paradise Lakes — a clothing optional resort in Land O’ Lakes — is getting a new look, according to Jerry Buchanan, who along with his wife, Patti, purchased the property last month.

Buchanan, who lives near Minneapolis, said he and his wife had come to Florida because they wanted a place to live in the winter.

Jerry and Patti Buchanan are the new owners of Paradise Lakes, a clothing optional resort in Land O’ Lakes. (Photo courtesy of Paradise Lakes)

While here, they learned about the resort’s availability, and Buchanan said it seemed like a project that suited his particular set of skills.

He specializes in restoring buildings, including one project involving an 1860s building he brought back to life.

“The first thing I want to do is bring Paradise Lakes back to its former self,” Buchanan said. “It used to have 5,000 members.”

While he’s committed to the project, he isn’t promising an overnight transformation.

He said he’s beginning by doing touchups to the 66-room hotel.

Some rooms need new paint; others, a new air conditioner. A few have leaky faucets or need a new light switch, Buchanan said.

There’s a fair amount of deferred maintenance that needs to be addressed, Buchanan said. “We’re chipping away at it.”

The couple’s purchase includes the resort portion of the property with its pools, restaurants, nightclub and hotel.

In addition to their property, Paradise Lakes has 581 residents who live in houses, town homes and condominiums.

Buchanan said he and his wife will live here during the winter, and he’ll commute back and forth during the rest of the year.

“I’m going to be spending a lot of hands-on time here,” he said.

Buchanan said he has no plans for lay offs and may need to hire additional staff when business picks up.

“We have hired the entire staff that was here,” Buchanan said.

The resort and residential community have a long history in the community, according to Stephanie Gibson, general manager. Paradise Lakes is the largest clothing optional resort in the United States and possibly the first clothing option resort in Pasco County, she said.

The Buchanans’ decision to buy the property has been greeted with enthusiasm by staff, property owners and guests, Gibson said.

“We all feel with the Buchanans’ vision, Paradise will far exceed what it used to be,” Gibson said.

Buchanan said he’s delighted by the warm reception he and his wife have received from the Paradise Lakes’ staff and community.

The previous owner of the resort, John Forier, died in a car accident Nov. 20, 2011. Before his death, Forier had announced plans for a $4 million makeover of the resort.

Buchanan said he won’t be pursuing Forier’s plans. However, he expects to make gradual improvements to yield the kind of place where people want to come and relax.

“Our goal is to fill this place up,” he said.

Buchanan also noted that the purchase included Pasco Naturally, a publication that serves nudists throughout North America. Buchanan plans to continue to publish it.

Community News Publications, which owns The Laker/Lutz News, sold Pasco Naturally in July 2009.

 

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tom Hatfield says

    November 6, 2012 at 5:42 pm

    I managed the first C.O. resort in California for 5 years. I wish the owners had your enthusiasm. They sold it prematurely in 1972 before the documentary movie was released.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

September 5, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Tampa Bay welcomes WAVE Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art spinal care clinic founded by Dr. Ryan LaChance. WAVE … [Read More...] about WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

August 29, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Time is running out on your chance to live at Del Webb Bexley. We’ve built the ideal active adult community to suit your … [Read More...] about Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

09/29/2023 – Teacup Fairy Garden

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., will host a thrifty craft project for adults on Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. Participants can make a teacup fairy garden. Registration is required. Call 813-780-0064 for more information. … [Read More...] about 09/29/2023 – Teacup Fairy Garden

09/29/2023 – Worship Concert

The Cathedral of Worship and Praise Center will present “The Wonder of Worship Concert” on Sept. 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Road. Admission is free. For information, call 813-943-9773, or visit TheCathedralOfWP.com. … [Read More...] about 09/29/2023 – Worship Concert

09/30/2023 – Great Discoveries

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host Charles Zidar, executive director of MAPS, for a lunch adventure, on Sept. 30 at noon. Participants can hear a talk on ancient Greek and Roman cultures, while museum artifacts are brought to your table as you eat. There will be a second session on Oct. 7 at noon to discuss ancient Mayan culture. Tickets are $28 plus taxes and fees, which includes lunch and the presentation. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/45yx47C. … [Read More...] about 09/30/2023 – Great Discoveries

10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Drawing Workshop: Exquisite Corpse, on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as part of its Museum + Art Series. Participants can learn about the exquisite corpse drawing method and create a drawing inspired by surrealist artists. Registration is required; call 727-815-7126. To learn more, visit MOMA.org/collection/terms/exquisite-corpse. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host Teen Halloween Games and Crafts on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 13 to 17. Supplies will be provided. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

10/03/2023 – Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a porch book sale on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring all genres of books including novels, nonfiction, biographies, sewing, cooking, self-help, and more. The porch sale takes place every Tuesday. Call 813-929-1214 for information. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Library Book Sale

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: