The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Pasco board divided over proposed apartments

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A proposal that would allow 400 apartments off Wesley Chapel Boulevard, at Hay Road, is being sent to state officials for review.

A divided Pasco County Commission approved the transmittal to the state, on a 3-2 vote, with Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and Commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Christina Fitzpatrick voting in favor, and Commissioners Mike Moore and Jack Mariano voting against.

The state transmittal is just one step in the regulatory process needed to allow the proposed apartment project to proceed.

The site currently has a long-range plan designation of six dwelling units per acre and light industrial. Much of the land is occupied by wetlands and cannot be developed.

The proposed change would allow up to 24 dwellings per acre, but because of the wetlands, only about 13 dwellings per acre could be achieved, according to county planners.

County planners have recommended approval of the request, characterizing the request as “an appropriate transitional land use between the single-family residential development to the north and zoned multifamily district to the west.”

The Pasco County Planning Commission also recommended approval — despite objections from Planning Commissioners Peter Hanzel and Roberto Saez, who said the area is becoming oversaturated with apartments.

Commissioner Moore has repeatedly argued against rezonings that allow more apartments in the Wesley Chapel/Land O’ Lakes areas.

He predicts there will be a heavy price to pay in the future, when a glut of apartment buildings leads to high vacancy rates and buildings that fall into disrepair.

In recommending approval, county planners also noted that a proposed employment center use abuts the property, and that generally encourages higher densities to support that type of use.

Attorney Joel Tew, who represented the applicant, said the site has multiple property owners and the land has been assembled for this potential project.

Having multifamily adjacent to an employment center is consistent and supportive, Tew said.

“We submit this would be the poster child for the appropriate infill project,” Tew said.

Tew also noted that the wetlands on the site prohibit the possibility of future retail or office uses there.

In concurring with Moore, Mariano said: “I think we do have enough apartments out there. If they want to keep it residential, keep it smaller densities.

“Do I need more density right there? I don’t know that I do,” Mariano said.

A separate rezoning request is expected to come to the county board in the future.

Published February 17, 2021

Pasco to update its facilities master plan

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The Pasco County Commission has approved an agreement with Furr, Wegman & Banks P.A., for a facilities master plan update.

The facilities master plan was completed in March of 2015, and this task calls for completing the work necessary to update it.

The agreement specifies that the task must be performed for an amount not to exceed $336,720, according to background materials in the agenda for the Feb. 9 board meeting.

The facilities master plan is expected to be completed within 248 days of the county’s notice to proceed, unless an extension is approved.

In other action, the commission:

  • Approved a change order with Williamson Dacar Associates Inc., to extend the completion date of Feb. 9, 2021, for the Hugh Embry Library Renovations by 365 days. No funding was required for this action. The time extension will allow for completion of professional services, including construction administration and closeout.
  • Approved a change order with Moss & Associates LLC for the addition of two Design Assist Contractors (DACs) for the jail facility expansion and visitation building detention equipment and security electronics during the pre-construction phase. The amount of the change order is for an amount not to exceed $120,487, for a new cumulative not-to-exceed amount of $591,689 in fiscal year 2021.
  • Accepted a grant from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida Inc., to expand archery supplies for reimbursement in the amount of $4,578 and to authorize the director of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, or his designee, to execute the grant agreement. The grant will be used to increase the county’s inventory of bows, arrows and targets; thus making archery education more available at passive parks, such as Starkey and Crews Lake Wilderness Parks and Withlacoochee River Park.
  • Approved the purchase of new carpeting in the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center, in the amount of $57,991.72. The purchase, being made through a state contract, is to replace carpet that is frayed and worn, and has reached the end of its useful life. New carpeting is required to maintain a safe and clean environment, according to agenda background materials.
  • Approve and accept the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Grant funding, through the Florida Department of Transportation, to purchase one vehicle. The grant is specific to Pasco County Public Transportation. Funding for the vehicle Is 80% federal, 10% state and 10% local. The total amount of the award is $90,000, which includes $9,000 match from the state and $9,000 match by the county. If the vehicle exceeds the total cost, the county must make up the difference.
  • Approved a recommendation to approve shortlist firms for roadway design services for design services for the Old Pasco Road widening, from north of Deedra Drive to North of Overpass Road. These are the shortlisted firms, in order: HDR Engineering Inc.; American Consulting Engineers of Florida; WGI Inc.; DRMP Inc.; Madrid Engineering Group Inc.; Johnson Engineering Inc., and Florida Transportation Engineering. The board also authorized negotiations with the top-ranked firm, HDR, to secure a design agreement for the project.

If an agreement cannot be reached with HDR, the board also authorized negotiations could be conducted with the remainder of the firms, in ranked order. An agreement is expected to be brought to the county board for approval within three months.

Commissioners also heard an update from County Administrator Dan Biles, who said the county has signed an agreement that will provide reimbursement to the county for the construction of the interchange at the Suncoast Parkway and Ridge Road.

The county and the Florida Department of Transportation collaborated extensively to execute the funding agreement, in the amount of $20 million. The plan is to deliver the next phase of the Ridge Road extension — opening two lanes between Town Center Road and the Suncoast Parkway this summer.

Published February 17, 2021

Bell Lake Road detour planned in March

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A portion of Bell Lake Road will be closed from Lake Padgett Drive to Peninsular Drive for eight days in mid-March, to allow safety work to be completed on the road.

The road closure in Land O’ Lakes is scheduled to commence at 5 p.m., on March 13 and will continue until 7 a.m., on March 22.

Kamminga & Roodvoets Inc., requested the detour, in order to complete the project. The Pasco County Commission approved the detour request at its Feb. 9 board meeting.

During the closure, those west of the portion that is closed, can take Bell Lake Road west to U.S. 41. At U.S. 41, they can head north traveling toward Hale Road, or south, traveling toward State Road 54.

Those east of the closure, can travel east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway. At Collier Parkway, they can head north to Hale Road, where they can head west on Hale Road to get to U.S. 41.

Or, they can head east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway, and then go south on Collier Park to get to State Road 54.

The project that is being completed consists of extensive infrastructure and safety improvements – including road reconstruction, stormwater modifications, curb and sidewalk – along Bell Lake Road, from east of U.S. 41 to Banjo Lake Road.

The current open ditch stormwater system will be converted to a closed, piped system.

This improvement allows room for sidewalks and reduces drop-off hazard related to the current ditches.

The new roadway will include one 12-foot lane in each direction, curb and gutter, and a 6-foot sidewalk on the north side of Bell Lake Road.

The speed limit is 30 mph.

For additional information, call Matt Kodsi, project manager, at 727-834-3604, or call Pasco County Traffic Operations at 727-847-8139.

Published February 17, 2021

New light industrial, commercial approved

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A rezoning has been approved on approximately 90 acres to clear the way for light industrial and commercial development, near the northeast corner of the intersection of Interstate 75 and Blanton Road.

The Pasco County Commission unanimously approved changing the zoning on the land from agricultural, agricultural resident and general commercial to general commercial and light industrial.

The applicant proposes to develop the southern 14.66-acre portion of the property in conformance with general commercial standards and the northern 74.41-acre

portion of the property in conformance with the light industrial park standards.

The applicant has volunteered to record these deed restrictions:

  • Commercial uses in the general commercial district shall not exceed 140,000 square feet
  • Multi-family apartments are prohibited
  • No auto towing services are allowed, or the connected storage of vehicles
  • No yard trash disposal facilities are allowed
  • No construction and demolition debris disposal facilities are allowed
  • Truck stops shall be prohibited

On the light industrial portion of the property, restrictions include:

  • Light industrial uses are capped at 500,000 square feet
  • No yard trash disposal facilities are allowed
  • No construction and demolition debris disposal facilities are allowed

Some conditions also spell out how the property should be developed.

For instance:

  • The architectural design of building facades facing I-75 shall include windows at ground level and/or at clerestory and shall not include overhead doors.
  • Outside storage of any materials, supplies, or products shall not be permitted in the front of any structure
  • When outside storage is exposed to I-75, these areas shall be screened to a height at least 1-foot higher than the highest material being screened
  • Loading docks, utility meters, HVAC equipment, trash dumpsters, trash compaction, and other service functions shall be incorporated into the overall design of the primary building using screening walls of compatible material, style and color.

Edward Dutkiewicz, appearing for Cynthia Dutkiewicz of 32710 Blueberry Hill Way in Dade City, outlined seven reasons why the rezoning should be denied.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, said Dutkiewicz’s objections were a misapplication of language from the county’s comprehensive land use plan.

She also pointed out the rezoning prohibits multifamily development.

“We thought the better use of the property was to have no residential, to maximize the use of the property for the employment-generating uses,” Wilhite said.

Commissioner Mike Moore spoke in favor of the rezoning.

“We talk about wanting and needing more industrial for the county. Unfortunately, we’re actually losing many industrial sites, where people are rezoning from industrial sites to something that’s not a job-creating site. And this is right on Interstate 75, which is obviously the access you want for tractor-trailer trucks,” Moore said. “This is exactly what you want to do at an interstate interchange.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey agreed with Moore’s assessment — calling the proposed site a great location for that type of use.

Published February 17, 2021

Pasco Animal Services to get cooling, heating upgrade

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The Pasco County Commission is moving ahead with a project to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at its Animal Services’ Adoption Center.

Commissioners approved a staff recommendation to proceed with a project design, and build a heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrade for the Adoption Center, for a cost not to exceed $506,190. The agreement calls for utilizing Omnia Partners, with Daikin Applied Americas Inc.

The Adoption Center consumes more energy per square foot than any other county building, according to the board’s Jan. 26 agenda background materials.

The building currently averages an annual electric bill over $160,000 per year, the agenda materials say, and the installation of three new energy-saving HVAC units would save approximately $90,000 annually.

Using Omnia would allow for standardization with current systems already installed throughout the county, the agenda materials said.

In other action, commissioners allocated $40,000 to help pay for amenities at the intersection of the Starkey and Suncoast trails.

The primary source of support for the project is a $160,000 grant from a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) recreational trail program grant. Pasco County also set aside an additional $10,000, for possible cost overruns.

The money will be used to add a restroom with a composting toilet, an ADA hard-surface access trail, a well/water fountain, a bike repair station, a solar charging station, a bike rack, a wayfinding locator, and a kiosk with trail use/trail safety educational literature.

In another action, commissioners approved the purchase of 1.09 wetlands mitigation credits in the amount of $131,100 from North Tampa Mitigation LLC.

The credits are needed to offset additional wetlands impacts for the Wesley Chapel Boulevard (County Road 54) widening project, from north of State Road 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard, according to the agenda backup.

As part of finalizing the design plans for the C.R. 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard) widening project

from north of S.R. 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard, two stormwater management facilities located at the south end of the project needed to be reconfigured and relocated. In addition, a right-turn lane was added on northbound Wesley Chapel Boulevard, 54 at Compark Drive to replace the existing right-turn lane.

These design changes resulted in additional wetland impacts, which need to be mitigated in order for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to approve the county’s permit modification application.

On another issue, commissioners approved a resolution requesting the Pasco County Legislative Delegation to sponsor and support a local bill that would support a Net Metering Program in Pasco County.

At the end of 2024, Pasco County’s energy contract with Duke Energy (Duke) will expire. Presently the sale of renewable electricity supplied by the Waste To Energy (WTE) Facility accounts for approximately 40% of the solid waste department’s enterprise fund’s annual revenue, according to a county documents contained in the board’s agenda materials.

Under Duke’s currently available standard offer contract, the county’s annual electrical revenue would decrease by over $22 million, the document says.

If the proposed local bill is adopted, Pasco County would be able to realize fair market value for the renewable electrical energy that it is already generating.

Published February 10, 2021

Looking to recruit 55 good men

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Super Bowl LV has put an international focus on Tampa during the past week — with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claiming victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, at Raymond James Stadium.

The impact of the Super Bowl, however, goes far beyond football.

Heather Castle poses with Tyrone Keys. Now director of activities and training for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Castle credits Keys for having a positive influence on her life. She wants her organization to have the same kind of impact on young people helped by her organization. (Courtesy of Heather Castle)

Beyond giving Tampa a chance to show itself off to the world, the event is a magnet for megastars and offers the experience of a lifetime for many spectators.

It’s also a chance to gain a huge audience for special causes.

That’s where Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay comes in.

The organization — which covers an eight-county area, including Pasco and Hillsborough counties — has been using Super Bowl LV as its platform to recruit 55 men to become Big Brothers to boys, ages 5 to 13.

Heather Castle, director of activities and training for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, said finding more mentors is especially important during this difficult COVID-19 time.

The push for 55 men is in recognition of the 55th Super Bowl, Castle said.

“The reason for the big push on men is because we have many Little Brothers on the waitlist and not enough male role models,” she explained.

She knows the value, firsthand, of having a mentor take an interest in her.

Heather Castle was 17 when she attended her first Bucs game, accompanied by her mom, Kathy. Tyrone Keys gave Heather the tickets to the game.

Tyrone Keys, a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl championship team, became Castle’s mentor when she a 15-year-old attending Gaither High School.

After his football career, Keys founded All Sports Community Service Inc., which aims to help youths pursue college scholarships.

That’s how he met Castle.

Keys worked with her to help her achieve her dream of playing college basketball, which she did at Saint Leo University.

“He took me under his wing. He believed in me. He sat down with me and said, this is what exactly what you need to do,” Castle said.

He also taught her about the value of community involvement, and helping others, whenever possible.

And now, Castle has come full circle in her current role at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

“Because Mr. Keys equipped me with the tools, I am able to help them.”

Besides helping youths pursue their potential, the organization provides opportunities for new experiences and fun.

Heather Castle meets on the field with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David and Litzy Maya-Nopal before the beginning of a Bucs game.

Now, Castle is able to take youths to their first Bucs football game, just like Keys did for her.

She said Keys gave her two tickets to a Bucs game when she was 17, and told her to invite a friend. She took her mom, Kathy Castle, because her mom was her best friend.

She still relishes the memory of that day, especially since her mom passed away five years ago.

While the Big Brothers Big Brothers of Tampa Bay’s current campaign focuses on drafting 55 men, the organization needs the help of women mentors, too, Castle said.

The need for help is obvious.

Her organization currently has more than 500 kids on its waiting list, Castle said, noting mentors can make a profound — and life-changing difference.

Anyone interested in learning more about getting involved can visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s website at BBBStampabay.org.

Published February 10, 2021

Offices may go up near Cypress Creek Town Center

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change to the county’s comprehensive plan that would allow consideration for office use on a site with 9.1 developable acres, west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and south of Hyde Park Boulevard.

The site currently is designated for residential and conservation uses on the county’s long-range plan.

County planners recommended approval of the change, and no one spoke against the request at the Planning Commission’s Feb. 4 meeting.

The new designation would allow consideration for an office development of approximately 67,000 square feet. A rezoning also would be needed, and is being pursued.

In agenda background materials, county planners say the request is consistent with policies in the county’s long-range plan because the development would be located along State Road 54, which is an arterial roadway.

Planners also note the proposed office would serve as effective transitional use.

“Due to the existing topography and wetland features, the development will efficiently buffer

the office development from surrounding residential land uses and will not impact any wetlands on the property,” the agenda materials note.

“The proposed development abuts existing residential and commercial uses within Cypress Creek Town Center MPUD (master-planned unit development) and will be constructed as one-story office buildings. The proposed amendment will provide the surrounding community with additional employment-generating uses further supporting the intent of Pasco County’s Urban Service Area by creating a live, work, play environment to attract high quality development,” planners add, in their support of the request.

The applicant and approved agent for the request is Waterford Construction and Development Inc.

The Pasco County Commission has final jurisdiction on requested changes to the county’s comprehensive plan.

Published February 10, 2021

Ashes to go, a free cup of Joe

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Pastor Kevin Grills acknowledges that he’s been reluctant for years to offer “ashes to go” on Ash Wednesday.

It had a bit too much of a “fast-food feel” for his liking, the spiritual leader said, via email.

But in the midst of a pandemic, it’s important to be creative and find new ways to reach people, according to Grills, who leads the First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes.

So, this Ash Wednesday, those driving through the church’s driveway will not only receive an imposition of ashes, but also a free cup of Aroma Joe’s coffee.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten period leading to Easter.

This year, it falls on Feb. 17, and ashes will be distributed at the First Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., that morning. They will be distributed in the church’s driveway, at 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O Lakes.

Those arriving will be directed to one of two pastors — Rev. Grills or Rev. Barry White will impose the ashes and will provide some information about Ash Wednesday, the season of Lent and opportunities to worship.

No one will have to get out of their car and everything will be done with safety in mind and social distancing, Grills said.

After getting their ashes, visitors can drive to a station where coffee will be made to order by Glenn Cote, the owner of Aroma Joe’s, a community partner with the church.

Stopping at the church shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes, from start to finish, Grills said.

The church has an uncomplicated motive for offering its hospitality.

“This is simply to love our neighbors,” Grills added.

The church has wanted to offer coffee to commuters for years, but just hasn’t made that happen. Grills hopes the Ash Wednesday event is just the start of a new “coffee for commuters” outreach effort that occurs on a more regular basis during the year.

Published February 10, 2021

Survey results show gains, but ample room to improve

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Pasco County received higher marks this year than it did last year in numerous categories in the annual National Community Survey.

Even so, substantial improvements are needed, if the county wants to achieve its stated goal of being a premier county.

An average of 350 communities participate annually in the National Community Survey, which is a collaborative effort between National Research Center Inc., and the International City/County Management Association.

Pasco participated in the survey in 2009 and then again from 2012 through 2020.

Last year, the county had an 18% response rate, for a total of 1,600 respondents.

The validated survey results show how the county compares to other survey participants, in numerous categories. The rankings can be lower, similar or higher.

The county also does a separate online community survey, using the same questions — with the goal of collecting additional data to help inform county decisions. That survey received 2,007 responses in 2020.

Marc Bellas, the county’s performance management director, presented the survey results at the Pasco County Commission’s meeting on Jan. 12.

The really good news is that “everything, almost across the board, is up from last year. Overall quality of life in Pasco County is up 12% from last year; that’s wonderful,” Bellas said.

He added: “If our vision was to be Florida’s good county, we could stop right now, because we’re really doing good work.”

But, the county isn’t satisfied with that designation, Bellas said.

“The county wants to take what it has now that is good and take it to the next level, which is great. We need to be better than the average,” he said.

This year’s results show substantial gains, in numerous categories, which demonstrates the county’s efforts are having an effect, he said.

“We have been at work for quite some time in order to create a better community, and it’s showing up and the citizens are seeing that,” Bellas said.

Bellas also reminded commissioners there often is lag time between improvements the county has made and improved survey results.

He stepped through results in numerous categories.

Overall confidence in Pasco County government has improved by 8%, Bellas said.

In the area of governance, which he described as the county’s board’s report card, survey  respondents gave higher marks for value of services for taxes paid (up 8%), government working in the best interest of the community (up 8%) and honesty (up 13%).

“In this survey, double-digit movement is unheard of. That is huge. That is huge,” Bellas said.

The county also saw a significant improvement in the category relating to fair treatment of residents. That jumped up by 13%.

County Commissioner Mike Moore weighed in on that finding.

“People recognize that this county does care about the residents and we do treat everyone on

equal footing,” Moore said.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley said that result also reflects well on Pasco residents.

“They’re some of the greatest citizens that you could have,” Oakley said.

Survey results also show improvement in the area of customer service.

Overall, the county’s customer service received a positive rating of 75%, up 6% from the previous year.

Bellas said that reflects the board’s emphasis on customer service.

“I remember just a couple of years ago, you as a board said, ‘You guys got to really get into this customer service thing.’ We heard you. It’s happening, and the citizens have seen the result of that,” Bellas said.

He also noted a big jump in the category of information services, which experienced a 12% gain.

“These are big, big moves forward. Feel good about that,” Bellas said.

Despite the progress, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wants to seek out ways to perform better.

“I’m curious,” Starkey said. “Who has higher (results) and what are they doing?

“I’d love to learn what they’re doing that maybe we could copy, and do better. I’m not good with being similar. I want to be higher,” Starkey said.

Bellas said the county plans to address that: “In our strategic plan revision, that is part of our strategy — to benchmark against those higher-performing organizations, to really see what it’s going to take to go from that good to great.”

The survey did identify some areas of concern, Bellas said, including few affordable housing options, public safety issues in West Pasco and the growth of multifamily housing outpacing infrastructure.

Overall, Bellas said, “we’ve got some work to do, but we’re moving in the right direction and that’s the exciting part.

“We’re better this year than last year; next year, we’ll be better than this year.”

Summary of Pasco County survey results

Overall Quality of Life
Excellent: 19%
Good: 55%
Fair: 20%
Poor: 6%
(Overall 74% positive rating, up 12% from 2019)

Overall confidence in government
Excellent: 12%
Good: 36%
Fair: 41%
Poor: 11%
(Overall positive rating: 48%, up 8%)

Economic health
Excellent: 11%
Good: 44%
Fair: 34%
Poor: 12%
(Overall positive rating: 55%, up 13% from 2019)

Mobility
Excellent: 8%
Good: 40%
Fair: 36%
Poor: 16%
(Overall positive rating: 48%, down 5% from 2019)

Overall design of residential and commercial areas
Excellent: 14%
Good: 38%
Fair: 31%
Poor: 17%
(Overall positive rating: 52%, up 8% from 2019)

Overall feeling of safety in Pasco County
Excellent: 16%
Good: 46%
Fair: 28%
Poor: 10%
(Overall positive rating, 62%, up 1% over 2019)

Overall quality of natural environment
Excellent: 21%
Good: 46%
Fair: 23%
Poor: 9%
(Overall positive rating, 68%, up 1% from 2019)
Source: Pasco County results from the 2020 National Community Survey

Did you know?
The Pasco County government:

  • Has 2,900 employees
  • Manages 57 lines of business
  • Serves 550,000 customers
  • Covers 740 square miles

Source: Marc Bellas, Pasco County performance management director

Published February 10, 2021

Super Bowl LV creates big memories

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans were delirious with joy, after the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

Besides emerging victorious, the Bucs made history by becoming the first team in NFL history to play — and win — a Super Bowl game in its home stadium.

Heather Stegmeier had an awesome time at Super Bowl LV, enjoying the electric atmosphere and feeling special, to have her work as a health care professional honored and appreciated. She was one of 7,500 health care workers who received a free ticket to the game from the NFL. (Courtesy of Heather Stegmeier/AdventHealth

Both the season and the Super Bowl were altered considerably by the COVID-19 pandemic — which created a scene where 30,000 cardboard cutouts outnumbered the 20,000-plus fans at Raymond James Stadium.

The smaller crowd size didn’t diminish the experience in any way for Heather Stegmeier, of Wesley Chapel, one of the 7,500 vaccinated health care workers who received a free ticket to the game.

In a pregame interview on CBS with interviewer James Brown, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell explained why the professional football league provided the free tickets to health care workers.

“They’re our heroes,” Goodell said. “Today, the heroes are going to be sitting in the stands. Those heroes have been working day and night for all of us, and taking risks and showing us courage, and obviously being the incredible professionals they are, to keep us all safe.”

Goodell added: “We wanted to give them an opportunity to get away from all that for a day and just celebrate,” he added.

Stegmeier’s happy Super Bowl experiences began on Jan. 29 — when she received a surprise videotaped message from Rob Gronkowski, known as Gronk to football fans, personally inviting her to the game.

She was at work at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, when the invite came.

“I was told that I had a conference call at 9 o’clock. That was my 9 o’clock conference call,” she said, laughing, and noting she was shocked.

On game day — Feb. 7 — she went through a flood of emotions, as she put on her jersey and got ready to go, she said.

As health care workers arrived at the stadium, they received a warm welcome, she said.

“The staff that were greeting us were all cheering for us. It was very surreal. It made you feel like you were really, really special.

“It made me so proud to do what I do. That so many people respect and appreciate what we do on a daily basis,” said Stegmeier, the manager of infection control and prevention at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

She not only got to go to Super Bowl, but she had a primo seat, too — sitting close to the field, at the 50-yard line.

“I had a great view of pretty much everything,” she said.

The cardboard cutout near her, she said, was a “little kid Eagles’ fan.”

Also seated in her section were other health care workers — mostly from regional hospitals.

There were health care workers from all over the country, representing the NFL’s 32 teams, at the game.

The atmosphere was electrifying.

“You could feel the excitement. It never let down. You felt it from the minute you walked in, until the minute you left,” Stegmeier said.

The Super Bowl Bomber Trio flyover was impressive, she said.

“That whole part to me was very emotional. It was very loud. It was very cool, too.

“It was pretty powerful,” she said.

She enjoyed the performance of “America the Beautiful,” by H.E.R.; the rendition of the national anthem by Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan; and, the halftime show, by The Weeknd, too.

And, of course, she was impressed by the Bucs.

“They did so well. They couldn’t have played better,” Stegmeier said.

The whole experience is something she won’t soon forget.

She said she enjoys watching football on TV, but being at the Super Bowl was entirely different.

“It’s not something I ever imagined being able to be a part of, but to be a part of that, is just — it’s mind-blowing,” she said.

And, like Goodell said, it was a great way to decompress.

“It has been a very trying — you know — year,” said Stegmeier, who joined the hospital’s staff a month before it opened its doors.

She’s not sure how she was selected to attend the game, but she is grateful.

“I was so happy just to be part of it. I was so blessed that I could be part of that. And, I’m just so thankful to the Bucs and the NFL and AdventHealth, that I was able to go.

“For me, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it’s definitely a highlight.

“Everything to me, yesterday, was just perfect,” she said.

Published February 10, 2021