The Laker/Lutz News

Wesley Chapel District Park

Wesley Chapel’s Union Park community celebrates Juneteenth

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The second annual Juneteenth Family Day Celebration in Wesley Chapel’s Union Park community brought on added significance.

Just days prior to the weekend event, the U.S. Senate passed legislation declaring June 19 a federal holiday, and then President Joe Biden signed it into law.

The groundbreaking development brought extra spark to all involved, event organizer Melissa Akers-Atkins acknowledged.

Tamika Diaz, of Wesley Chapel, leads children in an uplifting and inspirational dance during the Juneteenth Celebration at Union Park. (Fred Bellet)

“We were very excited,” Akers-Atkins recently told The Laker/Lutz News. “It happened Thursday, so we were excited that Saturday we were able to announce that and celebrate it again, even more. It was just a little different you know.”

The event was held to commemorate the day – June 19, 1865 – when the last enslaved Blacks, in Galveston, Texas, learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

The June 19 celebration at Union Park was coordinated by a handful of neighborhood residents, led by Akers-Atkins. Other members of the planning committee included Tamika Diaz, Alexandra Archibald, Mesha Pierre, Talana Brown, Antoine Williams and Michaela Steward.

Songs, dance, music, food, prayer, prizes and fellowship filled a day of activities from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Union Park clubhouse on Bering Road.

Faraasha Bell Fonoti, 14, and NeVaeh Akers-Atkins, 13, both of Wesley Chapel, receive a round of applause that left them delighted after performing a step dance, which requires the shoes on the pavement to be the percussion aspects of the dance. Derived from African and slave dances, stepping or step dance is energetic and expressive.

The festival drew over 100 attendees and also had several Black-owned vendors and other organizations on hand. This included multiple young entrepreneurs like 14-year-old Jordan Parramore, the owner/operator of Jordan’s Juice Bar, selling juice pops and coco bombs.

The event began with an opening prayer from Carmel Friendship Church pastor Quincy Stratford, then a discussion on the meaning of Juneteenth led by co-organizer Tamika Diaz.

Neil Archibald, a Wesley Chapel-based attorney, delivered a reflection speech called “Affirmations to Live By,” about what it’s like to be an African American male in society today. He also encouraged young people to pursue their dreams and never give up on lifelong goals.

Multiple poems were presented throughout the event, too.

Aiyana Gabrielle Williams, 15, delivered “Never Give In” by Greg Thung. Deidre Kelsey-Holley read an original poem, titled “Chosen.”

The family friendly event also included all sorts of activities for kids, including volleyball, football, Connect 4, Jenga, corn hole, checkers, hula hoop and bounce house.

The recent deaths of Black individuals by police officers, including George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement and street protests brought greater attention to Juneteenth celebrations over the past couple years.

Neil Archibald and his sons Nicholas, 6, left, and Noah, 7, watch a step dance performance on the Union Park sidewalk. It was all part of the entertainment at the Juneteenth Celebration.

The background and history of Juneteenth is enlightening.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, freeing slaves living in the Confederate states.

But, the news in those days traveled slowly, or in some instances, wasn’t acknowledged by slave owners.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers came ashore at Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. The date was 2 ½ years after Lincoln’s proclamation.

A few months later, on Dec. 6, 1865, the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery everywhere. The following year, Juneteenth celebrations, often hosted by African American churches, took root.

Raising awareness of the importance of Juneteenth was among Union Park event organizers goals.

But, they also want to foster unity, a sense of safety, and civic participation through voting.

Uplifting and providing outreach to area youth likewise was imperative during the Juneteenth celebration, Akers-Atkins said.

Several kids were incorporated into the celebration, including a step dance performance from Wesley Chapel teenagers Faraasha Bell Fonoto and NaVeah Akers-Atkins.

Trevor Roberts, 40, of Wesley Chapel, said he really only learned about Juneteenth eight years ago, while living in Oakland, California. He is happy the day is now well-known and the history behind the day will now be widely taught to children in school.

Derived from African and slave dances, stepping is energetic and expressive, and requires the shoes on the pavement to be the percussion aspects of the dance.

Meanwhile, the celebration’s youngest performer was five-year-old Joilene Jones, who delivered a gymnastics routine for all to see.

“I think as the youth see the community within which they live care about their education, whether they’re in school or out of school, we care enough about them, and we’d like to still encourage them in that and let them see that you don’t just have to learn what they teach you in school,” Akers-Atkins explained.

“Your neighbors, your community, the people around you, we’re all here to help build you up and mold you into this well-rounded individual, seeing and doing and modeling for them, and also including them in these activities and including them in the planning, so I think it’s very important that we do that, and that we continue to push them.

“We hope there’s more kids next year that aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone and they’re able to share their artistic talents with their community,” Akers-Atkins said.

Melissa and fellow organizers plan to host a Juneteenth celebration each year at Union Park, with grander visions to someday collaborate on a countywide event incorporating several other neighboring communities — a get-together that could be held at Wesley Chapel District Park.

Meanwhile, they also plan to host other cultural events through the year at Union Park, including celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Published June 30, 2021

Women’s soccer league blends fun, fitness, fellowship

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Visit Wesley Chapel District Park on any given Sunday evening, and you’re bound to find about 60 women scattered across four teams playing friendly games of soccer.

The New APSL (Adult Premier Soccer League) has a women’s and men’s division. Both divisions take advantage of the long summer days, with game action continuing after sunset. Here, before field lights are illuminated, the Goal Diggers are silhouetted against a sky of the approaching dusk. From left, teammates Victoria Rybka, Ashley Chevalier, Emily Myers and Briana Breland, all of Spring Hill, have a brief sideline discussion during a water break in their game against the Benito team. Goal Diggers beat Benito, 3-1. (Fred Bellet)

It’s called the New Adult Premier Soccer League, or New APSL, for short.

The recreational club was formed around 2013 by Colin Eke, a former semi-professional soccer player from England, who’s been involved with the game for some 50-plus years.

The New APSL women’s spring league runs through July 11, with summer, fall and winter seasons planned beyond that.

Players come from as far away as Orlando Spring Hill, Brooksville and St. Petersburg, as well as locally in Dade City, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and other area communities.

The club welcomes players of all skill levels, ranging from beginners to advanced.

Goal Diggers player Sarah Gelinas of Spring Hill, right, prepares to take control as Sonic player, Jenna Huetten of Wesley Chapel, covers Gelinas. Gelinas splits her time as a midfielder and goalkeeper.

There’s even a player on the league’s Goal Diggers squad — Hudson High School and Flagler College product Lindsay Zullo — who was part of the 2014 Haiti women’s national football team.

“Anyone can come play,” Eke said, in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz Newspaper. “There’s no division between how competitive and recreational. They’re all mixed in together, and they’re all there.”

Besides good-natured contests in a welcoming atmosphere, many of these active ladies use the league as a vehicle for exercise and weight loss, and stimulating conversations.

Sarah Gelinas of Spring Hill, left, plays goalkeeper for part of the match and midfielder for another part of the match. Here, she goes high to prevent a goal by the Sonic team.

“Fun is the word,” Eke said the New APSL. “It’s just ladies coming out to have a good run and having a bit of fun on a Sunday night, getting away from the normal routine they would have during the week, and it’s a way of letting off a bit of steam as well. That’s what makes the difference.”

The hardest part of overseeing the year-round women’s league?

Sometimes, Eke jokes, it’s whistling to get the ladies together to start the games on time, because they’re usually “chatting away as if it’s a social event” on the sidelines. The conversations cover everything from relationships, to schooling, to cooking and other hobbies.

“They’re all friends. There’s no rivalry between any of them. They just want to come along, relax and enjoy the camaraderie,” the league organizer said.

Isabelle Martinez and her husband, Antonio Martinez, of Dade City, watch their daughter Silvia Martinez plays soccer in the New APSL.

What also makes the club special, Eke said, is the ability for teenage daughters (ages 14 years old and up) to play alongside mothers or guardians for free, fostering a family bonding outing, of sorts.

“They enjoy that side of it,” he said.

Eke is also quick to note he invites ideas from club members, welcoming suggestions on game times, gameplay rules, field locations, roster sizes and so on.

“I’m just a caretaker. I’m just here to listen to what they want,” said Eke. He subscribes to the notion of having an open-door policy. “If someone wants to talk to me about something different, then I’m prepared to listen to it.”

Playing in one of four new women’s teams in the New APSL (Adult Premier Soccer League), Goal Diggers player Alicia Szilagyi of Hudson, left, squares against Sonic player, Alexandra Baker of Dade City, who comes in to block Szilagy’s kick.

Except for a close friend, who pitches in to help referee games, Eke is “a one-man-band,” coordinating league schedules, reservations and other inquiries, oftentimes in between lunch breaks at his day job at Port Tampa Bay.

“it’s good fun. I enjoy it,” Eke said of running the league. “It’s not a job for me, it’s a hobby, you know. It’s a vocation. I enjoy every Sunday night being a referee.”

He also makes efforts to coordinate a trophy and awards celebration after each season.

League champions generally receive a seasonal prize, such as woolen hats and gloves in the winter, or breathable T-shirts in the summer, along with coffee mugs, beer glasses “or whatever they fancy,” Eke said.

Colin Eke is league director for the New APSL. He also splits his duties as a game referee.

The New APSL offers men’s and Hispanic leagues, too.

Eke also has toyed with organizing indoor soccer, ultimate Frisbee and cricket leagues in the area, if enough interest picks up with those sports.

“There’s a lot of things I’d love to expand into,” he said.

For information, visit newapsl.com or call (813) 610-2278.

Published June 16, 2021

The coveted trophy that will be bestowed to The New APSL league winner, is revealed.

Growth pressures being felt on Old Pasco Road

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The Pasco County Commission voted last week to continue a hearing on a rezoning request by Victorious Life Assembly of God Inc., for a 122-unit subdivision off Old Pasco Road, 250 feet south of Overpass Road.

The application — which was accompanied by a request to deviate from some of the county’s land development code — received pushback from county board members.

Commissioner Mike Moore wants to know when Old Pasco Road will be widened. He’s concerned about the amount of new development happening along the two-lane road.

Commissioner Mike Moore made a motion to continue the hearing until June 8, after technical problems made it impossible for commissioners to understand what the applicant’s representatives were saying — as they attempted to participate remotely.

Moore said he didn’t understand why the developer’s representatives were not present at the meeting, since in-person appearances are no longer prohibited due to concerns about COVID-19.

“I think this item should be continued until we can have the applicant sitting right in front of us, so we can go back and forth and have a conversation, because right now, we can’t,” Moore said.

Moore’s remarks followed testimony by a woman who spoke on behalf of her son who lives near the proposed rezoning.

“I think we need to put the brakes on this project, at least until we get that red light and get the infrastructure done,” the speaker said.

She pointed to a new industrial park project that is being built near the proposed subdivision, plus the ongoing construction of a new interchange to Interstate 75, at Overpass Road.

Both projects are creating a significant amount of construction traffic, she said.

And, that’s on top of traffic created by Cypress Creek High School, Cypress Creek Middle School, she said. Plus, Pasco-Hernando State College now has a new Instructional Performing Arts Center on the road, she added.

Moore agreed that the two-lane Old Pasco Road is being overloaded.

He said he’s very familiar with the road because he has a child attending Cypress Creek Middle School and another child attending Cypress Creek High School.

“I drive it on a regular basis. The amount of school buses going on Old Pasco Road is incredible, and some of those areas with blind spots and the turns, with no shoulders,” he said.

“I have concerns.

“There’s a ton of development that’s currently going in on Old Pasco Road. There’s a lot of proposed development, along Old Pasco Road, as well,” Moore said.

“One of the things that we agreed upon when we did the industrial park is that that industrial park cannot receive its CO (certificate of occupancy) until that portion of Old Pasco (Road), that sits in front of the industrial park, is widened.

“Nobody’s given me a set date of when the rest of Old Pasco Road is widened,” Moore said.

“I think we need to research that road. I think staff needs to come back to us and say, ‘This is exactly when Old Pasco Road is going to be widened,” Moore said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano balked at the proposal for a park that is nine-tenths of an acre, versus the 1.2-acre park that’s required by code.

Planners supported the request, noting Wesley Chapel District Park is nearby, plus the developer agreed to dedicate a larger amount of land than required for right of way for the Old Pasco Road widening.

But Mariano said: “There’s no reason it can’t stick at 1.2, which is our code. Those kids need somewhere to play.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wanted to know why the plans fail to indicate any kind of future trail. She said that county planners must start including that, to provide for the possibility of people getting from place to place, without relying on vehicles.

County Administrator Dan Biles responded: “We’ll have to check, but I think Old Pasco Road probably has a multi-use path, as part of the design for Old Pasco Road and I think Overpass also has one.”

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley supported Moore’s suggestion to continue the hearing.

The delay will enable the board to receive information it needs on when Old Pasco Road will be widened, and to find out more about the possibility of trails in the area, Oakley said.

Published May 26, 2021

Pasco seeing tourism gains, road improvements

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Tourism is ramping up in Pasco County and considerable roadwork is underway, too, to make it easier for motorists to get around.

Those were the main messages delivered by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore at a meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore was a featured guest speaker during an April 27 East Pasco Networking Group meeting at IHOP in Dade City. (Kevin Weiss)

Moore, chairman of the Pasco County Tourist Development Council, described how well the 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Sports Campus of Pasco County has been performing, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sports complex, at 3211 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, has been attracting youth and amateur sporting events year-round since its August 2020 opening.

The indoor space can accommodate up to 17 different sports — including basketball, volleyball and cheerleading, or pickleball, futsal, wrestling, mixed martial arts, karate and others.

This widespread flexibility has seemingly been put to good use, with weekdays set aside for residents and weekends generally reserved for large-scale tournaments that can become family affairs, as parents and siblings road trip together.

Moore observed the complex is “constantly full.”

“Every single weekend there is a tournament there where people are coming from somewhere else,” he said. “There’s weekends where we get over 2,000 room nights for those tournaments. So, what happens? Hoteliers are obviously happy, supplying those jobs for our hotels. Those small businesses, restaurants, retail, gas pumps – everybody’s benefiting when you bring those people here.”

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore expressed optimism about the county’s tourism future, given amenities such as the 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, in Wesley Chapel. (File)

Moore also pointed to AdventHealth Center Ice, which has continued to be a major draw since opening in January 2017, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

At 150,000 square feet, it’s the largest ice sports facility in the southeastern United States, with four full-size rinks and one kid-size rink.

It’s regarded for being the training grounds of the 2018 U.S. women’s national hockey team that went on to win an Olympic gold medal in PyeongChang, South Korea.

“The ice rink is incredible,” Moore said. “They have tournaments on the weekends, international tournaments, and people coming from Canada, South America, people coming from over in Europe to literally play hockey right here at Center Ice.”

Moore posited that such youth, amateur and community-focused facilities can yield very similar — if not greater — economic impact as a major professional sports franchise, such as the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which plays eight regular season home games, plus a few preseason and postseason contests.

“Those (facilities) have just as large of an impact as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing on Sunday, when you think about how many people are (cumulatively) traveling for those events, and especially when they’re every single weekend.

“Personally I think it’s so much better to have these types of facilities than a pro sports team, because it’s a year-round benefit for the businesses in Pasco County, not just eight times a year or 10 times a year.

“These people, they’re traveling with their families, too. These kids aren’t typically driving on their own, their whole family’s coming (to Pasco).”

Moore addressed a number of roadway infrastructure projects, like the State Road 54 widening from east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road in the Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills areas. (File)

Moore addressed other recreational and tourism developments, as well, such as the ongoing construction of a visitor’s center/bike hub in the heart of downtown Dade City, across from the Roy T. Hardy trailhead, at the corner of Church Avenue and Eighth Street.

The $250,000 project — expected to be complete in June — was funded by the county’s tourist development tax dollars.

The amenity is set to further motivate beginner and avid cyclists alike to stop in Dade City.

It also may serve as a driver for more organized road cycling races to the surrounding East Pasco area, too.

“We know how big biking is in this area,” Moore said. “You’ve got people coming from all over the country to Dade City, to ride those hills.”

Further on the tourism and recreation front, Moore mentioned an 18,000-square-foot indoor recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park will be complete in July. The public-use facility will offer programming for basketball, volleyball and other activities for all ages. There’s meeting room space for clubs and other organizations, also. “That’s going to be beautiful,” Moore said of the forthcoming center.

Regarding road construction, Moore pointed out that many of the roads that traverse the county are state roads — and a considerable amount of work is being done to improve those roads.

Among them are construction projects on State Road 52, State Road 54, and an interchange improvement at State Road 56 and Interstate 75.

There’s also a new diamond interchange that will include a flyover ramp for westbound Overpass Road access onto southbound I-75.

To accommodate the new interchange, Overpass Road will be widened from two lanes to four lanes between the interstate and Old Pasco Road, and six lanes between the interstate and Boyette Road. Blair Drive will be realigned to connect with Old Pasco Road. McKendree Road will be realigned to connect with Boyette Road.

The $64 million design-built project aims to provide more relief to other exits off I-75, Moore said.

“When you think about people living in Dade City and San Antonio, and coming and living in that area, they’ll be able to get off that new overpass interchange and go right through Epperson Ranch and Connected City, and get right into Dade City, if they don’t want to take the next Dade City exit.”

Moore added the project’s contractor, The Middlesex Corporation, “is moving really fast,” with an estimated completion of summer 2023.

Meanwhile, the commissioner mentioned the county has another $6 million in state funds to support connection and widening projects along the U.S. 98/U.S. 301 corridor.

These “important” roadway upgrades should help alleviate freight truck traffic and allow for the movement of goods without jumping major highways, he explained.

Combined with the proximity to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, CSX Transportation Railroad, and an emerging light industrial manufacturing hub, the roadway plan “really helps when you think about the economy in this area,” he said.

Published May 19, 2021

New 122-unit subdivision proposed off Old Pasco Road

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Victorious Life Assembly of God Inc., is seeking a rezoning that would allow 122 single-family homes on 41.80 acres on the east side of Old Pasco Road, about 250 feet south of Overpass Road, in Wesley Chapel.

The request seeks to change the zoning from agricultural to a master-planned unit development.

Both the Pasco County Planning Commission and county planners have recommended approval of the request during the planning board’s April 22 meeting.

As part of the rezoning request, the applicant asked for variations from the county’s land development code.

The applicant is seeking a variation of a requirement to landscape the neighborhood park according to the county’s landscaping and screening requirements. Instead of placing a buffer around the perimeter of the park, as required, the applicant has suggested planting landscaping with the park.

The park, according to information in the planning board’s agenda packet, “will be designed to have an open feel and be visible from the residential development across the streets for safety purposes and aesthetics. The design will create an open feel so that it brings the community together and provides greater safety for the residents.”

The applicant also asked to decrease the required size of the park from 1.20 acres to 0.70 acres. That request is tied to a negotiation with the county for a smaller park, in exchange for dedicating an additional 1.23 acres of right of way needed for the future widening of Old Pasco Road, noted Tammy Snyder, a county planner.

She also noted that Wesley Chapel District Park is a large park, within walking distance from the proposed subdivision.

However, Planning Commissioner Peter Hanzel took issue with the request for a smaller park — noting that would shortchange residents within the subdivision. He also disputed the rationale citing the location of Wesley Chapel District Park as a justification for creating a smaller park within the neighborhood.

“How does that benefit the residents that are going to live there? It doesn’t,” Hanzel said.

He also questioned the notion of people from the neighborhood walking to Wesley Chapel District Park. He cited distance and safety concerns.

“I find it difficult to have adults or children walking Old Pasco Road, especially in the future, because it’s going to become a four-lane road eventually,” Hanzel said.

Hanzel also said fencing is needed to separate the neighborhood park and the pond on the site.

“This size park, which I would refer to as a kiddie park, you would assume there would be some type of barrier between the park and the pond,” he said.

It’s needed to keep young children, who are often attracted to water, from getting into the pond, he said.

Representatives for the applicant agreed to add fencing, to increase the park size from 0.70 acres to 0.90 acres and to add an amenity package at the park.

With those added conditions, Hanzel made a motion for approval, which was seconded, and the board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning and conditions.

The request was next scheduled to be heard at the Pasco County Commission’s meeting on May 18, which was after The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

Published May 19, 2021

County transfers funds for park improvements

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Pasco County has transferred funding from its engineering services division to its parts, recreation and natural resources division to pay for land needed for a roads project.

The transferred funds, totaling $329,500, will pay for park improvements at the Samuel W. Pasco Recreation Complex, to include new sidewalks and an Americans with Disabilities Act accessible parking expansion, and the Wesley Chapel District Park T-Ball Field to include lighting and grading of that field.

The Pasco County Commission approved transferring the funds from engineering services to parks and recreation to purchase 6.59 acres, which was previously part of the Wesley Chapel District Park.

The land was needed to accommodate a northbound off-ramp from Interstate 75 and to widen Overpass Road, between I-75 and Boyette Road. The land will be contained in the right of way of the road project. The cost for the land was $50,000 per acre.

Published March 24, 2021

Street hockey rinks open in Wesley Chapel, Holiday

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Perhaps someday a future hockey star will be able to say he or she first learned to play hockey on the streets of Wesley Chapel and Holiday.

Pasco County has added to its assorted sports and recreational profile with yet another outdoor activity in check — street hockey.

Two new outdoor street hockey rinks have opened at Wesley Chapel District Park and the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex in Holiday. The rinks were created through a public-private partnership between Pasco County and the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Tampa Bay Lightning. The rinks are approximately 60 feet by 120 feet, with a full dasher-board system. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Two public outdoor ball hockey rinks are now available for use at J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex in Holiday and Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel.

The concrete rinks — approximately 60 feet by 120 feet, with a full dasher-board system — are part of a public-private partnership between the county and the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Designed with the idea of growing the game of hockey throughout local communities, the rinks will allow young hockey players in the area a place to train, whether it’s the grass roots level or in organized leagues and tournaments.

A virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony of the rinks was held Dec. 10, with several representatives on hand from both the county and Lightning, respectively.

“We are very proud to open these two rinks today as part of our pledge to build 10 ball hockey rinks across the Tampa Bay area,” Lightning CEO Steve Griggs said. “These two rinks that we opened will give local youth the opportunity to get outside and play the great game of hockey. The Lightning would like to thank Pasco County for their enthusiasm and support in helping us make this a reality for everyone in Pasco County.”

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey tabbed the rinks “just one more wonderful thing that we’re bringing to Pasco County, to give our residents a really high quality of life.”

“This is another unique sport for kids to be involved in and learn all the good, life lessons you learn when you’re a part of a team,” Starkey said. “These rinks are a real value to the county and to the communities we serve.”

She also noted: “When (the Lightning) mentioned that they were going to put one (rink) in, knowing how large our county is and how much need that we have here, I asked them if they’d be kind enough to put in two.”

Count former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk among those “super, super excited” to witness outdoor ball hockey ramping up in Pasco.

“This place will be loaded with kids every night,” said Andreychuk, who serves as the franchise’s vice president of corporate and senior affairs. “As we know, having kids, giving them an activity, something to do, is a great thing.”

The county was responsible for laying out the rink concrete slabs, while the Lightning built out the remainder of the project, including the dasher boards, goal nets and electronic scoreboards. The pro hockey franchise also will be supplying equipment, such as sticks, balls and protective gear.

Lightning community hockey manager Josh Dreith, too, figures the rinks will be a score on both the east and west sides of Pasco: “I love Pasco County. There’s a ton of Lightning fans in Pasco County, and there’s a ton of engaged kids, as well.”

The Holiday and Wesley Chapel locations are part of 10 rinks being funded and constructed in the five-county Tampa Bay area — via a $6 million grassroots hockey development initiative from the Lightning’s Build the Thunder 2.0 and Connect the Thunder programs, and the NHL’s Industry Growth Fund. The other rinks are situated in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Polk counties, respectively.

The rinks in Pasco are available upon request for open play now. There’s hope to have league play begin by March, depending on the COVID-19 situation, officials say.

Programming at the new rinks will eventually include:

  • Clinics run by Lightning alumni
  • Ball hockey leagues
  • Adult ball hockey
  • Ball hockey lessons

All essential equipment for teams playing ball hockey will be provided by the Lightning, including hockey sticks, balls and goalie protective equipment. Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources will manage all programming and maintenance of the rinks.

Keith Wiley, the county’s parks department director, explained: “We’re going to have a combination of free play, obviously open to the public. And then, in coordination with the Lightning, we will be working on actual league play, where we can create some structured programming, depending on (the) season.”

With the partnership, the county contributed property and $240,000 toward the cost of the underlying concrete pads at the two outdoor rinks. From there, the Lightning have built out the remainder of the infrastructure, with dasher boards, scoreboards, penalty boxes, goalie nets, and more.

Engineering design on the rinks began in February. Construction began in August with the county’s portion of the work completed in late October.

Contracting through the Lightning, EnvironBuild LLC finished the dasher boards and scoreboards on Dec. 10.

Some minor improvements do remain, such as sheds, bleachers, and scoreboard electrical connections. Those touches are expected to be complete around March or so.

Published January 06, 2021

A festive trail leads to surprises

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Frosty the Snowman, known as Collin Stewart, 14, of Wesley Chapel, came to life and waved at children as they stopped for stocking goodies from Budget Blinds. Colton Mays, 6, and his mom, Jenafer Mays, were among the hundreds that attended the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru event, hosted by Wesley Chapel Rotary. (Fred Bellet)

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel sponsored a Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru event on Dec. 20, at Wesley Chapel District Park on Boyette Road.

Families were encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring their stockings to drive through a trail of vendor tents, and a sudsy blizzard.

The dreary weather didn’t stop an estimated 400 cars (approximately 1,200 people) from cruising through the line, for kids to have their stockings filled with goodies.

Frosty the Snowman made an appearance, and drive-thru pictures with Santa were offered, too.

A portion of the donations support the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club’s sponsorship of foster children, as well as the Underdog Fund and local scholarships.

Fifteen-year-old, Elias Deoliveira, of Plant City; Daniece Croy, 13, of Zephyrhills; and Darrion Croy, 11, of Seffner, ride in the tailgate of the family car while inspecting their stocking contents.
Members of the all-female krewe, Sirens of the Golden Sabre, were on hand for the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru. The group usually can be seen each year in the USF Homecoming Parade, the City of Tampa’s Santa Fest Parade, Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza Parade, Gasparilla Piratefest Parade of Pirates, Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, Rough Rider’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Tampa Pride Parade. They say their main goal is to assist in charitable endeavors.
From the Culver’s vendor tent, Connor Zuba, of Tampa, fills the stockings of 4-year old Jeremiah Gaghan and 10-year-old Kaleb Gaghan. The children were there with their parents, Dawn and Peter Perez, of Wesley Chapel.
Cathy Dileo, of Dileo Design and Staging in Wesley Chapel, wore a unique mask at the Stock Your Stuffing Drive Thru. Dileo said she bought the mask locally.
Four year-old, Joseph Fonseca, 4, was no different than many of the other kids who collected goodies while waiting in the car window. Joseph and his dad, Joseph Fonseca, from Wesley Chapel, were among the many that attended the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru event, hosted by Wesley Chapel Rotary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel’s rec center on target for 2021 opening

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It has taken years to get to this point, but by the summer of 2021, a new recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park is expected to be up and running.

A virtual groundbreaking was held, due to COVID-19.

A group of elected leaders and county officials gathered at the district park on July 15 and tossed out a few ceremonial shovels of dirt.

A video of the event was shared by the county’s Media Relations & Communications Team.

Taking part in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Wesley Chapel District Park Recreation Center were, from left: Erik Breitenbach, assistant county administrator; Dan Biles, county administrator; Ron Oakley, Pasco County commissioner; Mike Moore, Pasco County commission chairman; Tom FitzSimons, president of the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association; and Keith Wiley, director of the county’s parks, recreation and natural resources department. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor, Pasco County)

In the video, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore talks about the long-term impact he expects the project to have.

“I spent years here with my children, in a number of sports. Now other children for years and years to come, and generations to come are going to be able to enjoy this indoor facility,” said Moore, who coached flag football, baseball and soccer at the district park, when his three children were younger.

Commissioner Ron Oakley thanked Moore for his involvement on the rec center project. Oakley added: “It’ll be great for this community.”

Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources, said the district park is the county’s largest athletic facility, in terms of space.

“So, this complex basically completes that package,” Wiley said.

The bid on the project was awarded to Keator Construction LLC, for slightly under $4 million.

Funding for the project primarily comes from park impact fees collected in the central zone of the county, Wiley said.

“We are fortunate enough with the growth that was occurring in the central area to be able to accumulate enough money to make this project come to life. So, we’re extremely excited about that,” Wiley said.

“We’re hoping that the building will be completed and open in the summer of 2021, and we’ll kick off our first program and welcome our first guest at that time,” he added.

This is a conceptual rendering of the planned recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park. The rendering is subject to change. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The 17,800-square-foot facility will accommodate a number of sports and other activities, including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, summer day camp, toddler activities, community events and other uses, according to plans previously shared with The Laker/Lutz News.

The new facility will feature a gymnasium with a regulation-size basketball court that can be converted into two smaller courts, two volleyball courts or four pickleball courts.

There will be restrooms and showers, too.

Multipurpose areas will accommodate a range of activities for groups, such as the Rotary Club, community associations, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Tom FitzSimons, president of the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association, said, “An indoor facility will allow us to get the kids off of the (outdoor) courts and inside to play basketball in our program, and allow us to offer wrestling and volleyball, and possibly competitive cheerleading, where they’d be inside and they could do the practicing.”

“I can’t wait to see this thing built,” FitzSimons said.

The recreational center gives people another reason to take advantage of the popular district park.

It already is packed with outdoor sports activities, including several athletic fields for youth and adults, a lighted soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, and picnic tables and grills for barbecues.

It also is home to the county’s only universal playground — designed specifically for children with disabilities.

Published July 29, 2020

Planting the seeds of sustainable living

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Pasco County is pursuing a vision that’s aimed at giving people more opportunities to grow their own food, to learn the ins and outs of gardening, and to bring young and old together for a variety of activities.

A celebration was held recently at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., to unveil a new “Food for All” mural and to offer tours of a new community garden.

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore, director of the Pasco County Extension Office, told the crowd that the effort to create community gardens across the county began a few years ago.

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore, director of the Pasco County Extension Office, is working to expand the number of community gardens across Pasco County. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Feb. 15 to celebrate the new community garden at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. (Christine Holtzman)

“No. 1, we wanted to provide recreational opportunities for folks of all ages and abilities.

“We also wanted to provide areas where we could beautify different parts of our county.

“We wanted to be able to provide a location for folks to be able to come and learn about a variety of topics, from horticulture all of the way over to water conservation, and composting and sustainable living practices.

“But, we wanted to ensure food sovereignty —  that anybody that was lacking, that was in need, would be able to have a place to go to grow their own food for their family; maybe even be able to start a small cottage industry, so they could be providing a source of income for their families,” Elmore said.

Such community gardens empower people, she added.

Elmore expressed gratitude to the Pasco County Commission for supporting the cause.

“They saw fit to see our vision to provide these spaces all across Pasco County, and you’re going to see more of these.

“We’re already on the east side of the county, here in Land O’ Lakes, and working on agreements for more community gardens on the west side of the county,” Elmore said.

She also expressed gratitude to master gardener volunteers who have been instrumental in helping to develop the community gardens.

“All of these plots are leased out for free to folks in our communities,” she said. “We have individuals. We have organizations. And, we have families, that are growing their own and learning to do so.”

Growing vegetables, and inclusivity, too
Elmore also noted the gardens can be used for special programs, such as the Gardening for Autism program, a six-week course that gives kids on the autism spectrum the chance to learn about horticulture.

Besides learning how to grow fruits and vegetables, they also can learn leadership skills, develop and hone social skills, and work on fine motor skills.

“And, we have been absolutely ecstatic at the response from the Autism Society of Florida and especially the impact that we can see these programs are having on children on the spectrum, as well as their families,” Elmore said.

Besides serving as the grand opening of the new community garden in Land O’ Lakes, the Feb. 15 event also featured the unveiling of the “Food for All Mural.”

Connor Laverty and Lucas Yingling, who are both on the autism spectrum, won the mural art contest. And, their work was transposed to the mural by Amy Nevins, an artist who lives in Palm Harbor.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, who spoke at the event, expressed gratitude to the Autism Society of Florida and to Nevins, for their involvement in the mural project.

“In Pasco County, what we want to do is to make sure that people of all abilities can participate in any activity we do,” he said.

That’s true, whether it means participating in an art contest and seeing one’s work on display, or having fun at a playground designed to be used by all children, such as the one at Wesley Chapel District Park.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis also dropped by the event and commended the efforts to create more community gardens.

“I’m a big fan of community gardening. I’d like to spread this throughout my congressional district. How can we miss with something like this?”

Sonide Simon, of the county’s planning and development department, noted, “Our mural is a prime example of what it means when county government and community come together to make something beautiful.”

She also pointed out the benefits of growing healthy foods in a garden.

The vegetables growing there are “natural medicine” that can help combat chronic diseases, such as obesity, that are plaguing the nation, she said.

She praised the mural, which she said proclaims the message:  “let’s get back to nature and let’s make sure that everyone has access to food.”

Community gardens are creating communal spaces, which children and families can enjoy, she added.

Stacey Hoaglund, president of the Autism Society of Florida, congratulated the county and extension office for their involvement in the mural project.

These kinds of opportunities don’t always come to children with autism, she said.

“What this is about really, is inclusion. Being included in our communities. Being able to show what our kids, our adults with autism, are able to do. And, to become part of the overall life,” she said.

“I believe that a lot of people just underestimate the abilities of people with autism, and don’t include them in their communities as much as we would like,” she said.

“The Food for All Mural you have here — every time people drive by here and they see this beautiful wall, they can think about how people with autism are included in our communities, and have some really great things to offer,” Hoaglund said.

Published February 26, 2020