In August 2017, the Board of County Commissioners agreed to grant a license agreement to Guest Services LLC, d/b/a Boating in Florida for the use of Roger’s Park as a site for retrieving the canoes and kayaks they launch from Weeki Wachee State Park. Last year, Boating in Florida was awarded a 15 year contract with the state for the launching of canoes and kayaks out of Weeki Wachee State Park.
In efforts to reduce traffic on the river, part of the agreement with the county was to reduce the number of kayakers that reach Roger’s Park by making the company establish additional pull-out locations. Boating in Florida is working to establish pull-out locations at the Weeki Wachee Christian Camp, about a half mile upriver from Rogers Park and “the bluffs” which is about a mile down river from Weeki Wachee head springs.
Until the Dec. 12 meeting, the company had been operating without a signed contract with the county but under the conditions the board agreed to at the Aug. meeting. At the Dec. 12 BOCC meeting, Boating in Florida was seeking an extension of the license agreement with the county until Dec. 31, 2018, but the county ultimately approved a shorter agreement, since they’ve essentially been operating as if they were under contract since Oct. 1, 2017. The approved agreement runs until Sept. 30, 2018.
Some commissioners expressed concern that the company was dragging their feet with efforts to establish the additional pull-out locations. Assistant County Administrator Ron Pianta explained that as far as establishing the permit to use the Christian Camp as a pull-out location, the company still has two outstanding issues they are required to do. First the county has asked Boating in Florida to give them additional information on the number of kayaks they’ll be launching, whether they’ll be pulling them all out at the Christian camp or some of them will be going to Rogers Park. Second the company is required to conduct a public information workshop with the neighborhood, which has not yet been scheduled.
The company is currently working with the FWC to begin utilizing the “bluffs” pull-out location.
Expressing frustration with Boating in Florida not fulfilling the requirements given to them by the county back in October, Commissioner Nicholson stated, “I personally don’t see by their actions that they’re in any hurry to comply with the requirements of Hernando County or to do anything.”
Commissioner John Allocco said the contract should be reviewed on an annual basis. He stated, “Just because they have a 15 year contract with the state, doesn’t require us to give them access to our park (Roger’s Park) for 15 years.”
The Commission voted to approve the license agreement through Sept. 30, 2018. It was stated during the meeting that if an agreement wasn’t approved then the company would have to cease operations.