TREASURE ISLAND — Once again, city officials pondered the fate of Treasure Bay, with Mayor John Doctor reminding everyone it will all depend on what the city can afford to spend at budget time, this summer.
During the June 2 work session, Public Works Director Gary Volenec provided three alternative designs, but just like every other time Treasure Bay was discussed, golfers filled the room to support their hobby, and this time they were joined by tennis enthusiasts: Those who live nearby once again objected to noise that might be created if Treasure Bay welcomed concerts or events.
Volenec noted, “the living shoreline project has recently wrapped up and we need to look at what we can do out there, as far as improving the rest of the site. This workshop is part of a process, it’s been going on maybe for a few years,” he told those assembled.
He kicked off the workshop noting, “I’m new to the island, but I’ve heard a lot of citizen concerns, complaints, suggestions, and I’ve tried to kind of look at all that. The commission asked the city manager to come up with some alternatives, just to start the discussion. This isn’t necessarily the end all, there will obviously be much more discussion after, but hopefully we will get some momentum going.”
“We do recognize the property is fortunate to get some grants that have helped the living shoreline project, both in terms of the seawall and some amenities, like the (nature) walk and kayak launch,” he explained. “They have conditions that we need to make sure we’re sensitive to that.”
In addressing the current conditions, he said, “what we have out there now is the existing clubhouse has been refurbished, 10 tennis courts, a multi-purpose court and 79 parking spaces. We also have a small playground, a kayak launch, and exercise equipment located around the site.”
He explained the first approach was to just complete minimal site enhancements; Treasure Bay will look like a passive park, a little flatter, with a lot of green space.
“We’ll add landscaping. It’s just to clean up the site, because it’s kind of a mess right now,” he advised. “We didn’t spend a lot of money on renovations. After the living shoreline project, we did dredge the pond out and filled in one of the ponds. It’s mainly seeded and we’re kind of waiting for the next stage as far as decisions, before we spend any more money out there.”
The second approach envisions a 9-hole, par 3, golf course. “We would put in additional landscaping. We got an existing clubhouse, we can see how that would work out and rebuild the restrooms,” Volenec said.
He added his research revealed Treasure Bay was actually once an 18-hole golf course, built in the early ‘60s. It was reconfigured by the city into a 9-hole course in 1976, when Treasure Island acquired it from private owners.
A third option being considered could answer the question: if someone gave the city 18 acres of greenspace, with half a mile of waterfront, how could it be developed?
With recreational zoning “to serve the largest amount of people, I looked at three elements,” Volenec said. “First is recreation, the second component would be exercise, with the third area designed for community events and social gatherings.
The vision for the west side of the property is for a 36-hole putt golf course, a clubhouse with a grill and bar, a playground, kayak and paddleboard dock, 28 boat slips, 125 parking spaces and 10 golf cart spaces, he told those assembled.
Another part of the project would be a centrally located exercise component with eight tennis, six pickleball and three beach volleyball courts, a spray park and multi-purpose grassy field, with this area having 88 parking and 20 golf cart parking spaces.
A third part of the project is envisioned as a community complex in the northeast section of the site, with three wide-open greenspaces separated by walkways.
In the large space, closest to the water there is space for a stage to be set up and 1,500 spaces for lawn seating. The idea of a stage brought out residents who objected to the noise that musical events might bring.
Mayor John Doctor advised “a lot of this is going to be decided in the budget process.” He explained “that’s where our expenditures are going to be and our priorities for those expenditures are going to be.”
Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez said, “I agree with the majority who said we closed the tennis courts and changed them to pickleball in Rosselli Park. Even the thought of taking tennis courts out of Treasure Bay is crazy. I know every time I’m out there, rarely is there an empty court — it is busy, it is thriving…If anything, we should look at putting more in.”
She added, “we definitely have to look at our budget.”
Commissioner Arden Dickey said, “we’ve been looking at this for over a decade, we’ve surveyed residents, we’ve held workshops, we’ve hired consultants and each time we’re hearing the same thing. The tennis courts are extremely important, the golf course is too. The third alternate is probably too cost prohibitive.”
“We’ve got to go into this budget process with a plan to develop the golf course back at Treasure Bay. It’s been sitting empty for years and to continue to let it waste would be a disgrace,” Dickey noted to applause from golfers in the chamber. “We got to figure out how to financially make that work in our budget process.”
Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon said alternative three needs further development, and that the city needs a cost and revenue analysis. He added boat slips “would be a great source of revenue. Tennis is always in use.”
Chris Clark said additional tennis courts could be added to alternative three. “It seems like it’s something everyone can use. I think whatever we do should fund itself.”
He suggested the city provide the three alternatives to residents and let them decide.
Mayor Doctor noted, “this won’t be the last time we’ll be talking about it,” but he asked everyone to attend and be ready to discuss alternatives at budget time.
City Manager Charlie Van Zant told commissioners he would get cost estimates for each design ready for budget time.