The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District wants to open a public golf course in the city.
With a $24 million investment, the city and the Beach and Parks district have bought the Ocean Breeze Golf Course.
“It is completely deserted and full of weeds,” said one local resident.
The golf course has been closed for over a year, and it hasn’t been taken care of during that time.
“The golf course operated very successfully for a number of years,” said the director of the Beach and Parks District Arthur Koski.
Koski said the plan is to redevelop the property and make a public golf course.
“Every great city needs a public golf course especially in Florida,” said Greg Galanis with the Boca Golf Association.
But the price tag is worrying some.
“I think everybody thinks we overpaid for the land,” said Galavis.
The city agreed to use a $20 million revenue bond to help finance the project, the Beach and Parks District, which used taxpayer money, will pay back the city in 15 years.
Even with the millions of dollars going into the project, Galanis thinks it will be worth it. “We are doing this for the city residents.”
The district will hear from 17 architecture firms on plans for the public golf course; they will also have a public input meeting next Monday.