TREASURE ISLAND — The future of Treasure Bay Golf Course remains in limbo, with golfers vehemently supporting a rebuild while others seek a smaller facility with different amenities.
The topic will be discussed again at a December meeting when commissioners will be asked to prioritize capital projects.
Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez requested that Treasure Bay be added to a recent workshop to present suggested amenities for a multigenerational activity center.
She said the remodeling could include a new clubhouse with restaurant and bar, tennis and pickleball courts, a golf feature similar to Popstroke — a concept that combines putting courses designed to look like scaled-down golf courses — a bandshell for concerts and other events, picnic pavilions, and a children’s area with a splash pad and treasure-mining activity.
“This will enable all our residents to experience the beauty of this more than 17-acre waterfront property,” she told the crowd at City Hall.
Vasquez noted that even before Hurricane Milton, the course was not in the best shape, and the storm worsened conditions across the city’s properties.
“In the last decade, the average age of Treasure Island has dropped significantly. We’ve had a lot of families move into our community, and post-hurricane, we’ve had even more families buying,” she said. “I know in Isle of Capri alone, my district, we have lots of families from very young kids through teenagers. We definitely have our older population, which I’m quickly becoming part of.”
She said a multigenerational activity center would be accessible to all residents and offer activities for everyone.
“Really make it a place where the entire city can enjoy it,” she said.
However, golfing enthusiasts who have regularly attended town meetings over the years to support rebuilding the course once again made their case, expressing concerns that other amenities would create parking issues and potential noise for nearby residents.
Commissioner Arden Dickey said the sides may not be as far apart as they seem.
“It really comes down to what you do with the golf course part of it,” he said. “Many of our residents want that golf course. It’s part of our heritage, it’s our identity.”
He said he supports rebuilding the golf course.
Mayor John Doctor said he supports green space and would favor a Popstroke concept.
The mayor said a study he conducted a few years ago showed there isn’t as much activity as people think. In 2024, 39 people per day played golf at Treasure Bay, he said.
“I think we need to be able to use (Treasure Bay) much better with green space,” Doctor said. “I’m not really in favor of looking for a golf course to go back in, but I’m also not looking to basically fill it with parking and playgrounds and everything else. I think the green space is fantastic.”
Commissioner Chris Clark said it would be nice to have a gathering place for the entire town, noting that the city currently holds its Christmas party and other events on the street in front of City Hall.
He suggested working with golfers to reach a compromise.
“We have to continue the conversation to reach a compromise and not just kick the issue down the road,” Clark told fellow commissioners.
He asked whether the city could develop five or six options for Treasure Bay to find common ground.
Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon said he wants to see fiscally responsible options “otherwise we are just delaying for decades.”
City Manager Charles Van Zant suggested he present a list of priorities for the commission to vote on in December.
During the discussion, Recreation Director Cathy Hayduke gave a report on the latest restoration effort at Treasure Bay.
She said Public Works is developing plans and obtaining quotes to repair the clubhouse, which will allow for the reopening of restrooms and office space for staff.
The maintenance building requires a new roof after a temporary covering was installed to protect equipment in the interim. Parks and Recreation is working to address ongoing electrical issues with the tennis court lights and possible mitigation funding.
Hayduke said staff is seeking commission direction on the future of the property to determine the most beneficial and effective use of the site. This direction will help guide next steps aligned with the city’s master plan and support long-term strategic planning for the community, she said.
A new living shoreline is being constructed and should be completed in mid- to late November, Hayduke said. It will include a walking trail, boardwalk and educational signage.
New fountains have been installed in two ponds on the property. A kayak launch, complete with rentals and storage racks, is expected to open in December.
As part of an ongoing sidewalk grant, three pieces of outdoor exercise equipment have been installed along the sidewalk near the kayak launch.
In addition, two 10-by-10-foot gazebos will soon be installed on the property, providing shaded areas for rest and relaxation along the trail, Hayduke said.
During the discussion, Dickey and Clark suggested residents should decide the best use for Treasure Bay but did not explain how a consensus would be reached or suggest a referendum.