Leesburg OKs new community building, will replace pool – Daily Commercial

By Frank Stanfield / Correspondent

LEESBURG City commissioners have given the green light to an architectural firm to design a new community building, which will result in the old building being torn down and the existing swimming pool likely being filled in for parking after this summer season ends.

The move is part of the multi-million dollar Venetian Gardens renovation project that has already brought about the Kids Korner playground and splash pad and is resulting in improvements to Ski Beach.

The proposed 20,700-square-foot building and changes to the entryway at Dozier Circle are part of the third and final phase of construction.

The idea, said City Manager Al Minner, is to create a destination, eventually linking back to downtown.

The existing building is old and would cost too much to renovate, said Mayor Bob Bone. The building, long the site of chamber of commerce breakfasts and other events, now sits near busy Dixie Avenue. Plans call for the new building to be set back farther from the road and to face Martin Luther King Island in the park to the west, and with a view of Lake Harris to the south.

Its bigger than the other one, Bone said of the new building. I like the concept facing out to the island.

Preliminary plans also envision sites for waterfront restaurants and boat docks.

Commissioners agreed to give the job to Borrelli & Partners. The Orlando firm specializes in architecture, interior design and landscape architecture.

The work, which could take six to nine months, is not to exceed $440,232, according to the contract. It includes handling bids and overseeing construction.

Commissioners did not discuss plans for the swimming pool Monday night.

Were always going to have a pool, said city spokesman Derek Hudson. The Venetian Gardens pool opened in 1929. A new pool could be built by the community gym on Griffin Road.

The city is paying cash for all of the Venetian Gardens improvements. Good old-fashioned pay-as-you-go, Minner said.

The city has reserved $4 million for phase three. Depending on what is done, it could cost between $3.5 and $5.5 million, he said.

The city still has reserves, plus it recently agreed to sell almost 2,000 acres to The Villages for about 4,500 homes and could sell fiber optics holdings, Minner said.

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Leesburg OKs new community building, will replace pool - Daily Commercial