Dade City Amphitheater Plans Move Forward
By Joe Potter
A t a Feb. 24 city commission meeting, officials approved an agreement with Borregard Construction Inc. to begin the preliminary work for an ambitious theater at Veterans Park. The proposed venue aims to host concerts, movie nights, and a wide range of performances, strengthening community ties while boosting local commerce. Veterans Park sits at the crossroads of Church Avenue and 10th Street, where city leaders discussed one of three conceptual sketches produced by Boggs Design Partners. The envisioned amphitheater would serve as a dynamic gathering space—an anchor for cultural life and a potential engine for economic growth by drawing visitors and supporting nearby businesses.
In the room, Mayor Pro Tem Normita “Angel” Woodard voiced cautious optimism. She praised the design but emphasized doing it right the first time, noting the importance of electrical capacity. “The amphitheater should either have two separate breakers or a single upgraded breaker to handle the wattage of what’s going to be used there,” Woodard said. Her point underscored a practical concern: the project’s infrastructure must keep pace with its ambitions.
What happened on Feb. 24 represents an early stage in a multi-year endeavor. Borregard Construction will need to submit concrete construction plans, and any contractual agreements with the city will have to be formally adopted before site work begins. Even so, City Public Works Director Will Toner expressed optimism, saying the amphitheater could be fully built by year’s end—an estimate that speaks to the urgency and momentum behind the project.
OTHER BUSINESS: Infrastructure and Growth
The commission also tackled a major fiscal move: applying for a $7.08 million loan from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to fund resiliency projects tied to Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, as well as related mitigation efforts. Although the recovery work spans multiple projects and sites, the FDEP instructed the city to unify these efforts under a single State Revolving Fund loan. The aim is to strengthen systems—particularly wastewater services—against future storms and to safeguard essential services during disasters.
Repayment would stretch over twenty years if the loan is approved. Background on the storms helps frame the project’s urgency: Helene struck Florida as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 26, 2024, dissipating by Sept. 29 after traveling north to Tennessee. Milton followed as a Category 3 storm, impacting Florida’s west coast on Oct. 9, 2024, and dissipating by Oct. 12 near the Bahamas. The ambitions for resilience reflect not only recovery but longer-term preparedness for future emergencies.
THE NEW OFFICE BUILDING: A SPACE FOR TWO DEPARTMENTS:
Commissioners also discussed a proposed new office building at 38052 Pasco Ave.—the site of the former Dade City Police Department. Plans call for both the Building Department and the Community and Economic Development Department to occupy space in the new facility. It appears the Building Department would occupy roughly 70% of the building due to staffing needs, though the exact division of costs between departments remains to be finalized.
City Finance Officer Peter Altman reported a current budget line of $2 million for the new office building, with $1 million earmarked from the Building Department’s budget. The Community and Economic Development Department’s share was still to be determined, and officials noted that construction could not begin until the old police building is demolished. As with the amphitheater, timing remains flexible, pending approvals and detailed planning.
PEOPLE, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITION:
Amid planning and budgets, the city paused to honor nine employees for ANNIVERSARY MILESTONES:
Terri Reed - 35 years;
Officer Pete Emerson - 30 years;
Billy Fretz – 25 years;
Brandum Bethel - 10 years;
Kevin Towne Jr. - 5 years;
Allan McClary - 5 years;
Officer Ronny Rivera - 5 years;
Sgt. Christopher Amatruda - 5 Years,
and Edwin Justin Wernicke - 5 years. ♥
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