TREASURE ISLAND — The future of the Treasure Bay Golf Course remains uncertain following severe damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton last year.
Recreation director Cathy Hayduke told city commissioners April 15 that while the living shoreline project is back on track and limited tennis and pickleball play has resumed, the facility was largely destroyed by the storms.
Commissioners directed City Manager Charles Anderson to schedule a work session to discuss reimagining the property.
Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez said she has connections with resources “willing to come in and help us with amazing ideas” that could have “a huge financial impact to our city.”
Commissioner Chris Clark echoed that sentiment, saying he has seen “beautiful ideas and beautiful drawings” that should be discussed “as soon as possible.”
Hayduke requested that commissioners share these concepts with staff beforehand to prepare meaningful responses at public meetings. She noted the living shoreline project is expected to be completed by August.
“There’s going to be a lot of needed repairs,” Hayduke said, describing extensive damage to the property.
Vasquez emphasized fiscal responsibility in any decision. “I want to make sure we know what we’re doing with it before we start putting a lot of money into it.”
Commissioner Arden Dickey said the commission needs to “hash it out and listen to what residents say about the golf course and look at what other options might be.”
Vasquez added that financial considerations must drive the decision. “We have to have numbers behind that as well. Our city cannot afford to keep nostalgia at the sake of losing money.”
Clark suggested some alternatives could “generate a bunch of revenue,” while Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon noted, “We also don’t need another park.”
Hayduke detailed the destruction from both hurricanes. Helene flooded all buildings on the property, with water rising at least 6 feet in the clubhouse. Hurricane Milton later destroyed the tennis court fence, damaged sheds and took the roof off the maintenance building.
“Treasure Bay Clubhouse had so much water the moisture went up at least 6 feet in the building. They had to tear everything down from the studs, the floor to the ceiling,” she said. The commission will decide when to demolish the building.
Staff now operates what Hayduke called a “she-shed” — a small 10-by-20 office space that costs $500 for 28 days. Without restroom facilities, visitors must use portable toilets, which has sparked complaints.
Despite the setbacks, Hayduke secured a $281,650 grant from the United States Tennis Association to repair fences, resurface courts and fix electrical systems. Courts 5 and 6 have reopened for tennis, and pickleball has resumed on the basketball court.
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The living shoreline project continues, with contractors laying oyster domes along 2,340 feet of shoreline. A 500-foot section of seawall will be replaced with a boardwalk.
Workers are currently dredging, enlarging and aerating golf course ponds, with grading scheduled through May.
A kayak launch arrived ahead of schedule and awaits instillation, likely in May. The wrap-around sidewalk is scheduled for July instillation, along with pavilion pads and structures. Two small gazebos and exercise equipment will be added as part of the walking trail grant.
The preliminary design concept for the golf course could change substantially following the upcoming work session.