Potential West End Developer Meets with WECARE
A meeting was called by the developer and his representatives to present their revised plan for the West End Golf Course property to representatives of involved HOAs, Friends of West End (FOWE), and West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education, Inc. (WECARE)
The plan presented, which has been on hold for nearly 6 months for revision, took out the hotel and showed a red line around the perimeter of the property depicting a trail that they said they would widen to 8 feet and let the surrounding communities’ use. Since the property would be private (like the pools, playgrounds, tennis courts in most all developments), the 8-foot trail would not be open to the general public. Their plan has no pool, playground or green space for more than 1400 residents. When asked about community open space, their response was “We are not in the business of recreation.”
The developer insists that golf is dead. Go to our website westendcare.org and read the letters from Sean Warner, Founder and Executive Director Gator Jr. Golf Association, interviews by Sharon Dombek of Scott Hampton, Director of Golf, Mark Bostic Golf Course at the University of Florida, and Eric Thomas, Teaching Pro at Ironwood Golf Course. Young Professionals of Gainesville YoPro with 70 members also has a golf group. Golf is NOT dead and our plan for a driving range and 9-hole course is just what is needed in Gainesville and surrounding communities for training new golfers and a place where golfers of all ages and abilities could play.
I am calling on the 130 members from 25 communities in the area who are members of Nextdoor Friends of West End Newberry, the 115 people of GoFundMe Stop West End Golf Course Rezoning and the 57 people who have donated in cash or checks (some donations of from $1,000 to $2,000), and the supporters who post regularly on Facebook to 1) go to the Westendcare.org website, keep up with the news, make a comment on the Blog or email the BOD WECARE, 2) sign the petition, 3) write the Commissioners cc: Jerry Brewington, Sr. Planner, 4) donate, 5) offer to distribute brochure to family, friends and neighbors. STAY the COURSE.