Community center near completion; officials cite soil remediation and funding gap

The North Bay Village Commission received an update on the Treasure Island community center on March 3, with project lead Frank reporting that the third floor framing is complete, electrical and plumbing are roughed in and most windows are installed. Frank said crews will begin drywall once elevator access is delivered, and the main soccer field is being leveled and prepared to receive artificial turf and lighting; the construction team is targeting late May to early June for the building and main field to be usable.

The update matters because the project combines park space, courts, a staffed community center and a concession-operated café that will serve residents. Frank said the rooftop will include seating and limited plantings, the ground floor has space for a concessionaire chosen by PFL, and activity rooms and staff spaces were reconfigured to meet child-safety rules noted by a children’s trust fund requirement.

Frank described a remediation issue that required unplanned work: contaminated soil where contractor supplies had been stored must be removed and that corner will be excavated and placed on a sealed concrete slab before courts are installed. "The contaminated soil was a big deal," Frank said, adding that the design now calls for concrete slabs under sports surfaces where required to prevent leaching.

Commissioners also discussed hours and public access. Frank said courts leased to an operator will be available to residents free for the first 10 minutes of an hour when not reserved; one field will remain dedicated and free for village residents while the park is open. He described limitations on construction noise on weekends: Sunday work may be allowed after 09:00 only when necessary to avoid disrupting school drop-off.

On financing, the commission reviewed project-cost and funding status. Officials said the total project is currently estimated at just under $50 million. Frank said the village expects staged county contributions toward a related fire station (quoted as $7.5 million total, with $2 million upfront), and anticipated roughly $2 million from sold transfer-of-development-rights (TDR) receipts in May; staff said these receipts and prospective developer contributions will reduce the village’s need to borrow. The mayor said the village will likely need a loan or bond to close the gap and estimated a gross borrowing need that "could be" as much as $10 million.

Next steps: staff will finalize the remaining drawings and put the project out to bid once approvals are complete. The commission will return with monthly updates and has formed a ribbon-cutting committee to plan an eventual grand opening.