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Staff urges pause on permanent move of petanque courts, suggests using waterfront parking for tournaments
Summary
City staff presented a last-minute plan to pause removing petanque courts from Central Park, refresh the existing courts and accommodate tournaments in Waterfront Park parking lots via special-event permits while permanent siting is reconsidered.
City staff proposed pausing plans to permanently relocate the city’s petanque (pétanque) courts and instead refurbish the existing Central Park courts in the short term while accommodating tournament play through temporary layouts in the new Waterfront Park parking lots.
“Staff's considering ... putting a pause on the decision to find a home quickly,” Staff member said, showing a construction-document illustration that, according to staff, could accommodate a 16-court layover in parking lots C and D for major tournaments. The staff presentation noted the Amelia Open and similar tournaments occur “about 2 or 3 times a year.”
Staff framed the pause as a way to avoid taking green space immediately while allowing event organizers to apply for special-event permits for occasional tournament play at the waterfront. The rendering shown to the public was described as a last-minute illustration prepared for the Commission; staff said construction is expected to be bid later this year and that tournament planning would be coordinated with contractors and event organizers.
Supporters and club representatives said a temporary layover could preserve public green space while preserving the ability to host large tournaments; opponents warned about recurring impacts on marina traffic and boat-trailer parking if tournaments became routine rather than occasional. Staff said the item will return to the City Commission agenda for reconsideration on Sept. 17, 2025, after design and permitting work.
