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Alachua County board approves West End master‑plan update, asks staff to seek golf partnership
Summary
The board approved revisions to the West End Community Park master plan and directed staff to remove disc golf from Phase 1B while exploring a public–private procurement for a potential golf partnership, after residents and commissioners said a nine‑hole course and driving range ranked highest in a county survey.
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners on June 2 approved a revised master plan for West End Community Park and asked staff to pursue procurement options to solicit proposals for a private partner to build and operate golf amenities on the west side of the property.
The board’s action, made after a staff presentation and public comment, struck a placeholder disc‑golf element from Phase 1B and directed staff to explore a public–private partnership model that would have the private partner pay to build, operate and maintain a golf facility on county land while the county retains ownership of the property.
Why it matters: Staff said the revised plan puts more community amenities into Phase 1—playgrounds, shade sails, an event pavilion, restrooms, a dog park and a multi‑use trail—so residents see tangible benefits sooner. Commissioners and residents argued a traditional nine‑hole golf course and driving range drew stronger interest at public meetings and in a county survey from fall 2024.
Commissioner Prizia moved the change to the staff recommendation to remove disc golf from Phase 1B and to direct staff to explore procurement options for a golf partner; the motion was seconded and approved. During public comment Paul Hornby, president of the West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education, told the board the county survey’s top three preferences were a nine‑hole golf course, walking trails and a driving range and said the nine‑hole option received far more support than disc golf ("9 hole golf course, 96 responses; disc golf, 17").
Staff described next steps: procurement will define a scope and parameters for the county land, advertise nationally, allow proposers time to assemble financing, and return viable proposals to the board for final decision. Staff also said it will include contract clauses to ensure maintenance standards and reversion to county control if upkeep lapses.
What comes next: Staff will develop a procurement approach (an RFP or tailored solicitation) and return proposals to the board; the approved master‑plan revisions move several active amenities into an earlier phase so construction of restrooms and initial infrastructure can proceed while staff pursues partner proposals for any golf facility.
