The Laker/Lutz News

Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College

Center Ice’s Gordie Zimmermann hailed by local chamber

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It wasn’t all that long ago that there was no AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

And, if the facility — which has the largest ice rink in the Southeastern United States — had not opened in 2017, the community would have missed out on all sorts of big events and special occasions.

For instance, National Hockey League prospects would not have skated into Pasco County to show fans and pro scouts their skills in shot-making, blocking, toughness and teamwork.

The center, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., would not have been used as the training grounds for the gold medal-winning 2018 U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team, either.

Shawn Element, No. 83, of Victoriaville, Quebec, was invited by the Lightning to play on the team of prospective players. He battles for possession with Carolina prospect Blake Murray, No. 85, of Canada. (File)

Plus, it wouldn’t house the Women’s Sports Herstory Museum — which is dedicated to female pioneers in hockey.

And, the coveted Stanley Cup never would made a stop there — thus, depriving the young hockey players who had the chance to see it, of that thrilling and inspirational experience.

The list of big events and special moments at the ice center goes on and on.

And, it was Gordie Zimmermann, the facility’s owner manager partner, who had the vision for Center Ice, and its enormous possibilities.

He received recognition for the center’s contributions to the economy and quality of life in Wesley Chapel, during the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s Dec. 7 breakfast meeting.

Michael Berthelette, the chamber’s outgoing chairman, singled out Zimmermann by presenting him with the Chairman’s Award for 2021, during the meeting at the Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College.

“I really took some time to really think about who I wanted to honor with my chairman’s award for 2021,” Berthelette told those gathered.

He said Zimmermann demonstrated that the ice center could achieve its goals, despite the challenges.

He told Zimmermann the award is “in recognition for your contributions toward a broad range of economic development activities that demonstrate substantial investment in our community, your economic development efforts have required agile planning and a comprehensive approach to implement solutions that have made the North Tampa Bay community a more attractive place to live, work and play.”

Zimmermann was surprised by the honor.

He told the crowd that he thought he was just joining some of his staff for breakfast at the chamber meeting.

In accepting the award, Zimmermann said: “You guys have been awesome. It’s been a great community.

“I just want to thank the whole community, all of the businesses, the educational systems, my staff — unbelievable staff.

“The chamber has been great. I just really appreciate it. I didn’t expect this, today,” Zimmermann said.

Hope Kennedy, president and CEO of the chamber, recalled the initial reaction when chamber leaders heard about the plans for the ice center.

“We all looked out there and saw a mud swamp. So, we were all a little bit nervous about this vision and dream,” Kennedy said.

“But to see it all happen — and what it has done for our community. It has put Wesley Chapel not only on the regional map, (but) the international map.

“So, Gordie, I’m very proud to stand by you and your whole team that you’ve built there.

“It’s exciting,” Kennedy said.

Then, as the chamber’s top executive, Kennedy also had the opportunity to present a special award.

In choosing a recipient for the President and CEO’s Award, Kennedy said she always seeks “to recognize an unsung hero that goes above and beyond.”

She then detailed some of the ways that this year’s honoree has been instrumental to the chamber’s success.

“He has added tables. He has taken away tables. He has put out cones for me. He’s lugged in food for me,” Kennedy said, adding that he’s also kept coffee from spilling all over the place.

Then, turning to the recipient — who did not know that he’d been selected — she said: “You have done so much for me and this organization over the last five years. I couldn’t think of anybody better to present this award to, than to you, Duane Powell.”

The campus facilities manager for PHSC was obviously stunned — but also delighted — by the news.

Like Zimmermann, Powell also thought he was just coming to the meeting for breakfast, said Kevin O’ Farrell, provost of PHSC’s Porter Campus.

Published December 29, 2021

Wesley Chapel Library is a step closer to reality

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A new Wesley Chapel Library has moved a step closer to reality.

The Pasco County Commission has authorized negotiations with FleischmanGarcia Architecture and Planning, as its first choice to handle the project’s design.

The board shortlisted the top firms vying for the job, during its Nov. 9 meeting. If negotiations with FleischmanGarcia are unsuccessful, the county would move on to begin negotiations with the second-ranked firm.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore began talking up the idea well over a year ago, telling his colleagues during discussions of the budget for 2021 that it was important to begin laying the groundwork to make that happen.

Libraries are about a lot more than books, these days. They’re community gathering spots, they provide meeting spaces for classes, community organizations and programming. A new library is planned in the Seven Oaks area or Wesley Chapel. (File)

Moore has a soft spot in his heart for libraries. He recalls riding his bicycle to the library when he was young, to get his hands on books and magazines.

He sees libraries as community assets — because they have something to offer to people of all ages and walks of life.

Initially, Moore was simply trying to move the project forward.

It got a push, however, when the county board decided to set aside funding from the American Rescue Plan to build the library.

“The goal is to have it under construction next fiscal year,” County Administrator Dan Biles, told those gathered at a breakfast meeting of the North Tampa Bay Chamber. The breakfast meeting was at the Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College, which is in Wesley Chapel.

The county has owned the planned library’s site since 2004. It’s next to Seven Oaks Elementary, which is at 27633 Mystic Oaks Blvd.

The planned Wesley Chapel library is just the latest news involving the county’s library system.

It also received national recognition for the design of the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library and Cultural Center, which opened this year at 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, in Odessa.

The county also is in the midst of modernizing all of its branches, using proceeds of a bond issue approved by 66% of Pasco County voters in a 2018 referendum.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, and Hugh Embry Branch Library in Dade City are both closed now, for renovation. The New River Library, at 34043 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel, now completely updated, has reopened.

Published December 08, 2021

Services for late Don Porter set for July 12

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The community is remembering Don Porter, whose vision helped transform ranch land into an urban center in Wesley Chapel. He died yesterday at the age of 73.

Don Porter
Don Porter

Porter’s family, which owns the sprawling Wiregrass Ranch, sold the land that is now occupied by The Shops at Wiregrass and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. The family donated another 60 acres for what became the Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College.

“Out of all of the accomplishments, I think the thing that he was most proud of was his family,” said his son, J.D. Porter. “He wanted to see everyone do well.”

Pasco County commissioner Pat Mulieri called Porter a “good steward of the land and a southern gentleman.”

“I believe that Don’s generous spirit and clear vision made a difference in the Wesley Chapel area, and set the tone for all future development there,” Mulieri said.

Katherine Johnson, president of PHSC, recalled the first time she met Porter, and how his approachability immediately made her feel at ease.

“We clicked. We just clicked,” she said. “Clearly, we would not have been able to have a campus in Wesley Chapel without the family.”

A memorial service for Don Porter has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 12 at the conference center at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

For more on the reaction to the life of Don Porter, read the July 9 edition of The Laker/Lutz News.