A vote asks the two community development districts to consider skate and aquatic parks.
By RICK GERSHMAN
Published April 25, 2004
WESTCHASE - Acknowledging a need to "keep up with the Joneses," the Westchase Community Association board has decided to support the exploration of whether a pair of kid-friendly amenities would benefit the community.
Association directors agreed to recommend that the two Westchase community development districts consider a skate park for adolescents and teenagers and an aquatic-themed play area for toddlers.
The Westchase and Westchase East taxing boards are scheduled to hear a presentation on a $2.4-million capital improvements program May 4. Thursday's recommendation will put the recreational amenities on the boards' radars while they consider the program.
Tish Dietrich, an association member who represents Glenfield, presented the recommendations to the community association. Of the 78 residents who responded to an e-mail asking whether they would want such amenities, Dietrich said, more than 50 percent favored them outright. About another 25 percent favored them with some qualification.
"I think it's a great idea," association director Pam Prysner said. "We certainly have to offer people something to come here."
Prysner told members she recently visited FishHawk Ranch in east Hillsborough County and was amazed by its many amenities, including a skate park, aquatics area and a theater.
Board member Brian Ross said his inquiries about a skate park had garnered far fewer supportive comments, and that he didn't "feel comfortable supporting a skate park" at this time. But he agreed it couldn't hurt to ask the taxing board to explore whether the recreational amenities would be welcomed, and he eventually moved to approve the recommendation.
Dietrich clarified to members that she wasn't suggesting the community association tell the taxing boards that it wants the additions, just that the idea should be explored: "Seventy-eight is a significant amount (of people) to ignore."
"There's always time to consider another proposal," said association director John Byrne, who worked with Dietrich on a subcommittee to identify improvement areas. "It's no skin off our teeth to ask. The CDD is spending a whole lot of money with less resident feedback. Seventy-eight (responses from residents) is probably 58 more than they (usually hear from)."
The recommendation was strongly supported by association member Gerald Pappa, who lauded the board for "looking outside the box."
"Westchase needs to look for avenues that are aggressive and progressive," Pappa said. "Children are important members of our community. We have really got to look at what we offer to kids, because it's a very important aspect of attracting residents to Westchase."
Association vice president Nathan Lafer, however, was critical of the idea. He is "not going to go in front of the CDD East and tell them we're going to do this." He abstained from the vote to recommend, as did board member John Love, who heads the CDD East board.
The recommendation passed 4-0 with the two abstentions. The "yes" votes came from Byrne, Prysner, Ross and board president Jim Mills.[Last modified April 24, 2004, 10:36:09]
