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Chinsengate Hill retreat manager reports bookings and revenue as lease renewal approaches
Summary
Christy Williams told council the Chinsengate Hill Retreat (114 acres, cottages and conference spaces) has generated roughly $65,000 in bookings this fiscal year and that the city's lease with Hernando County runs until June 2025; staff said additional bookings and programming are planned.
Christy Williams, retreat manager for Chinsengate Hill Retreat and Conference Center, presented an operational and financial update to the council on June 3.
Williams described the property — 114 acres with seven four‑bedroom cottages, a dining hall (capacity 65) and conference center (capacity 75) — and said the facility hosts weddings, retreats, reunions and tours in partnership with the Tampa Bay History Center. She said Chinsengate has received coverage as a historic wedding venue in regional media.
On finances, Williams reported expenses to date of “a little over $75,000” and said revenue booked for the current fiscal year equaled about $65,000; she added an incremental $3,000 in bookings projected for 2025. Williams said she has been increasing bookings and testing online reservations. She emphasized the lease timeline: the county owns the property, the county subleases management to a history center and the city holds an extended sublease for management; the next lease negotiation is due before June 2025.
Councilors asked about programming, school partnerships and promotional outreach; Williams said the Tampa Bay History Center runs tours and the retreat is developing additional programming for school groups and events. Council thanked staff and encouraged continued outreach.
Next steps: staff and the retreat manager will continue to increase bookings, report updated financials, and bring lease‑negotiation recommendations before the council prior to the June 2025 deadline.
