34:33The Conservation Florida project garnered attention due to its focus on restoring a keystone piece of property in Southwest Volusia. The proposed nature center will feature exhibition spaces, community areas, and a wrap-around covered porch, with plans to enhance the parking area and introduce geocaching as a recreational activity. The committee expressed interest in the “Conservation on Tap” program, aiming to engage local communities through events held at craft breweries, thereby raising conservation awareness.

Discussion around the project included inquiries about expected visitor numbers, with the applicant noting the difficulty in providing exact figures due to the facility’s novelty. However, they suggested that attendance might mirror other regional nature preserves. The project also plans to open over three and a half miles of trails by spring, ahead of the center’s completion, to foster community involvement. The trails will permit shared use by hikers and equestrians, although dogs will not be allowed, aligning with efforts to connect to existing trail systems.

The committee’s endorsement of the Ranch Preserve project underscores its potential impact on regional development and environmental education, with the initiative seen as pivotal to enhancing Volusia County’s natural offerings.

0:04Another project that received committee support was the Hub on Canal’s application for $600,000 to construct a new educational building. This development will expand the facility with ceramic studios and classrooms, doubling student capacity and increasing community access to artistic programs. The applicant emphasized the importance of open studio time for ceramics. There was discussion about the project’s financial implications, reassuring the committee that existing operations would remain unaffected.

The committee also reviewed an application from the Little Theater of New Smyrna Beach, which sought $57,500 for production improvements. The project involves installing a unique LED Cyclorama screen, the first of its kind in the county, to enhance theater performances. The committee members showed strong support for the project, lauding its potential to elevate the local theater experience.

34:33A discussion of outreach programs highlighted the breadth of community involvement initiatives available to Volusia County residents free of charge. Notable among these are the Razzle Dazzle Fashion Club and the “Hub on the Run” program, which brings artists into elementary schools. Partnerships with Halifax Health and the Pace Academy for Girls were noted.

In terms of recreational development, the City of DeBary’s proposal for improvements at Bill Keller Park, including new pickleball courts, was discussed. The project, which requires addressing outstanding city fees before proceeding, was recommended for standard grant funding. The committee emphasized transparency regarding financial obligations.

55:35The meeting also delved into existing and new projects within the Development and Construction Engineering (DCE) plan, such as the proposed basketball courts at Spring Hill Park and the Carter Quail Recreation management plan. Safety improvements for Bicentennial Park pickleball courts and the design of the Deltona Amphitheater were also on the agenda. The committee discussed off-beach parking land acquisition, a challenging endeavor given local regulations, and noted the need for a strategic approach.