Alachua County moves to default Celebration Pointe operator, plans county takeover by Oct. 1

Alachua County commissioners voted July 8 to declare the Sports & Events Center operator in default and to move management of the facility to county control, with a planned transition date of Oct. 1 to align with the county fiscal year.

County staff said it sent a notice of default to Celebration Pointe and received a written response that did not resolve the compliance concerns. Staff recommended declaring default to ensure continuity for summer camps and booked events that are underway and to allow the county time to prepare a budget and staffing plan for operation beginning Oct. 1.

County Manager Michelle Lieberman told the board the Oct. 1 date gives the county time to prepare a recommended budget, recruit or assign staff, and continue operations for ongoing programs over the remainder of the summer. The recommendation also included limited delegated authority to the manager to take interim operational steps so programs and rentals already in place continue uninterrupted through the fall.

Commissioners asked about financial records and requested verification of operator expenditures that might be claimed as recoverable under the operating agreement. Staff said records that the operator must produce will be turned over as part of the transition; county fiscal staff are already reviewing the documents and will reconcile operator spending and receipts as part of the county takeover.

Public commenters raised concerns about prior audits and alleged irregularities in the operator—s accounting. Tamara Robbins, who has led earlier critiques of the operator, told the board she has long questioned the veracity of the operator—s financial reports and warned of liens related to loans reportedly tied to the property.

Staff said it will present a full operating plan and budget for the Sports & Events Center at the board—s August meetings, including recommended staffing levels (FTEs), a budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, and options for whether the county should operate the facility long term or conduct a public procurement to identify a new operator.

Commissioners approved the staff recommendation by a voice vote; the board asked staff to verify the operator's financial records, work with legal counsel on contract issues, and return in August with a firm staffing and budget plan.