MILTON — The fate of the somewhat controversial multi-purpose center in East Milton likely will be decided later this month.
Although the agenda for the meeting will not be finalized until the end of this week, Santa Rosa County commissioners are expected to discuss the covered arena at their Jan. 22 meeting and vote on the project two days later.
County Commissioner Bob Cole, who has saved $1 million from his district’s recreation funds for the arena, said part of the controversy over the center stems from confusion about what it is. In early discussions, it was referred to as an equestrian center. However, he said it will be much more than that.
“This is not an equestrian center. This is a covered arena,” Cole said. “If you’re a horse person, then it’s an equestrian center. If you like to show dogs, then we can have a dog show. If you’re an archer and want to stand up a big archery event and know that if it rains you can use the indoor facility, then it’s an archery center.
“This is why we (designed) this building as a multi-purpose building,” he added. “The bleachers aren’t permanently put up and the corrals for the horses aren’t a permanent fixture. They’re all things that can move around.”
The county sought construction bids last year, but commissioners delayed voting on approving a contract with A.E. New Jr. Inc. at their Dec. 10 meeting because they had too many questions about future funding for the project.
A.E. New Jr.’s bid originally was scheduled to expire at the end of December, but Cole said it has been extended through the end of January.
Since commissioners delayed their decision, the county’s Tourist Development Council voted to contribute $200,000 to the project and Cole has found a way to save $50,000 in construction costs.
Rather than having the contractor purchase all of the supplies and materials, the county will purchase the materials without having to pay sales tax, Cole said.
“There’s 50 grand instead of going to the state for sales tax can go into the project,” he said.
If the project is approved at the Jan. 24 meeting, Cole said construction likely would start within 90 days.
The covered arena would be built at the intersection of U.S. Highway 90 and Bobby Brown Road. It would feature a 200-foot-by-300-foot covered pavilion, a judges’ booth, meeting room and restrooms.
Contact Daily News Business Editor Dusty Ricketts at 850-315-4448 or dricketts@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustyRnwfdn.
