notebook - Southwest Florida Water Management District

Item 36
Operations and Land Management Committee
October 30, 2012
Submit & File Report
Flying Eagle Nature Center
The Flying Eagle Nature Center is located within the Flying Eagle Preserve in Citrus County.
Upon the dissolution of the lease with the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America in
May 2012, the Governing Board directed staff to seek other joint ventures to explore the
continued recreational potential for the center, while also providing the maintenance and
security for the property.
District staff has formed a multi-disciplinary project team that has developed a marketing plan
and website, researched organizations to target, conducted site visits with interested parties,
prepared the facilities for marketing, and developed a Request for Proposal (RFP). Staff has
also engaged the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to patrol the
property.
The RFP was released August 17, 2012, with a closing date of October 11, 2012. The RFP has
been advertised in the Citrus County Chronicle, Tampa Tribune, Florida Sentinel and La Gaceta
newspapers; Woodall’s Campground Management, a campground owner and operator trade
magazine; an email blast to over 1,800 members of the American Camp Association; and
Google ads. Additionally, the Citrus County Chronicle ran a feature story on the Flying Eagle
Nature Center in August. Staff has conducted multiple site visits with 39 attendees representing
11 organizations.
The RFP results will be presented to the Governing Board at its November 2012 meeting and it
is anticipated that a lease agreement with the successful respondent will be presented at the
Governing Board’s February 2013 meeting for review and approval.
Staff Recommendation:
This item is submitted for the Committee's information, and no action is required.
Presenter:
Cheryl Hill, Land Program Coordinator, Operations & Land Management Bureau
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