Treasure Bay options draw heavy public interest; residents urge preserving tennis courts

At a June 2 Treasure Island City Commission workshop, City Manager Gary presented three illustrative alternatives for Treasure Bay, ranging from minimal site cleanups to a restored golf operation and a larger recreation complex that would add parking, slips and event lawn space. The presentation noted the recent living‑shoreline work, grant conditions on the site and about 79 existing parking spaces.

The item drew a full public‑comment lineup. Margaret Row, a resident looking out over a pond, asked, “What does the Ottabbon Society think of us filling in a pond?” and warned that amplified sound from concerts could carry across the water and disturb neighbors. Other speakers repeatedly urged the commission to avoid removing tennis courts, calling the tennis program a core community amenity supported by leagues and a USA Tennis grant mentioned by residents.

Mark Hoey (District 3) pressed a fiscal point: “Whatever direction we end up going needs to be… self‑supporting. This does not need to become a government subsidized playground,” and raised liability concerns tied to steep walkways and public safety on the current site. Several residents, including Barbara Mun, asked whether grant restrictions and zoning would allow filling storm‑water ponds or adding commercial uses; she cited 2024 cost estimates of roughly $870,000 to revitalize the park and about $1.28 million for a golf option and suggested full rebuild scenarios could reach several million dollars.

Gary walked commissioners through the three options: a low‑cost passive park (grading, landscaping and modest interior repairs); a golf/putt‑related plan using the existing clubhouse and adding slips and more parking; and a larger recreation complex with extensive courts, a community event lawn that could seat roughly 1,500, increased parking (presentations referenced configurations up to roughly 125–213 spaces), and vendor areas. He repeatedly flagged grant conditions and zoning as constraints that would limit some proposals.

Commissioners told staff they heard the public. After the comment period, the commission directed staff to develop detailed cost estimates for individual elements and return with figures during the budget process; commissioners said the August budget cycle will be the decisive point to set priorities and funding. Multiple commissioners said they would not support removing the tennis courts and asked staff to explore alternatives that retain or expand tennis capacity while evaluating revenue opportunities, insurance exposure and grant compliance.

Next steps: staff will price discrete elements of each alternative and present cost and revenue options as part of the budget process later this summer. Any proposal that requires grant‑related changes or would alter permitted uses will need legal review to ensure compliance with existing grant conditions and zoning requirements.