TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Treasure Island is looking to the future of 17 acres of waterfront property. Treasure Bay is a city-owned recreation complex that was hit hard by last year’s hurricanes. Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez said even before the storms, it was in rough shape.
What You Need To Know
Recent changes to the Treasure Bay recreation complex in Treasure Island include the construction of a new walking path, a new kayak launch and improvements to tennis courts
Talks about making improvements began years before Hurricane Helene damaged the site last year
Commissioners discussed possible future improvements at a workshop earlier this month
Some residents said they’d like to see the site’s golf course restored, but the mayor and vice mayor were among those who said while a golf feature may be added down the road, bringing back the course in its former state doesn’t make sense
“It has been in talks for years,” Vasquez said of efforts to revitalize Treasure Bay. “Our parks and rec department has been amazing. We’ve gotten grants for a living seawall, which is, environmentally, just amazing.”
A city staff member said during a Nov. 4 workshop that work on the seawall was expected to wrap up by the end of the month. Construction is also underway on a walking path, there’s a new kayak launch, and improvements are being made to the tennis courts. Commissioners also discussed possible future amenities for the site. Vasquez said that could include expanding the playground and adding a splash pad and waterfront band shell. A number of residents at the workshop told commissioners they want to see the restoration of Treasure Bay’s former golf course.
“Many of our residents want that golf course. It’s part of our heritage,” said Commissioner Arden Dickey.
“Both in 2017 and 2021, interested citizens participated in meetings and expressed their will to restore the golf course. Both times, staff and commission did not choose to listen,” said resident Pat Patterson.
(Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)
Vasquez and Mayor John Doctor were among those who said they didn’t think bringing back the course in its former state made sense, saying they want the site to get more use than was seen at the course.
“Not necessarily going back to a full golf course like it was before because it was old and it was very, you know, it was a small group of people. So, we definitely want to attend to them,” Vasquez told Spectrum News.
She said that could mean the addition of a Pop Stroke-like feature.
Others were concerned about parking problems additional amenities could cause, as well as what kind of events would be hosted at a band shell.
“That’s the one thing that I do have a question about is the concerts and noise and what time it would be done,” one resident said.
Vasquez said those are all issues that can be discussed before the city moves forward with anything. For now, she said it’s good to see change finally taking shape.
“It’s progress, and if there’s one thing we need in Treasure Island as a whole, it’s progress,” she said.
(Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)