A Community Development District 2 supervisor has suggested a vacated country club could be converted into a casino.
The suggestion came from CDD 2 Supervisor Jim Cipollone during a broader discussion of possible uses for the Hacienda Hills Country Club which was shuttered in April, after the restaurant was dogged by health code violations and a reputation for poor service.
The Developer has offered the Amenity Authority Committee the “opportunity” to acquire the country club.
“Why don’t you open up a casino there?” Cipollone said. “People would go there and spend money. It would put money back into the District.”
He was responding to a position paper from CDD 2 Chairman Bryan Lifsey in which he suggested that the AAC explore the possibility of putting an indoor pool at the facility.
Cipollone said an indoor pool at the Wellness Center years ago did not draw many participants.
AAC Chair Ann Forrester said the committee has very little information about a potential acquisition of Hacienda Hills Country Club.
“Very honestly, I don’t know if there is an interest. Until someone makes a presentation you don’t know what you’re dealing with,” Forrester told CDD 2 supervisors.
CDD 2 Supervisor Bart Zoellner said the future of the country club has stirred “a lot of discussion” in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
CDD 2 Supervisor Bill Schikora agreed.
“People believe the Developer is trying to ‘stick us’ with something,” he said.
