The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) took the next step regarding the possible purchase of the
Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast in Santa Rosa Beach. During the BCC’s
most recent meeting, County Administrator Stan Sunday introduced the item for
consideration, noting that to move forward, the BCC would need to sign a
contingent agreement with the organization and then perform their due diligence
regarding the property.
The site consists of two parcels amounting to 30 acres, which includes the 29,570-
square-foot indoor facility and outdoor ball fields. Administrator Sunday said the
county has obtained two independent appraisals and arrived at a contingent
contract price of $9.5 million.
“Contingent upon your approval of that today, we would move forward with our
due diligence and obtain property inspection, as well as title search and things of
that nature,” said Sunday. “What we’re asking for today is approval of that
contract.”
There was considerable discussion regarding the property, the agreement process,
the continued presence of the Boys & Girls Club programs and the possibility of
continuing to negotiate for a lower price.
Administrator Sunday noted that the contingency agreement allows the county to
withdraw their consideration of the purchase without penalty and allows the BCC
to review any and all aspects of the proposed purchase. Sunday said it would cost
about $6,000 to perform the property inspection, including the roof and HVAC
system.
He also addressed the question of the Boys & Girls Club continued presence. “The
‘ask’ right now from Boys & Girls Club is for them to be able to talk to us and
enter into some sort of long-term lease agreement. Those conversations are yet to
be had,” said Sunday. “I have had staff working to look at any potential structural
changes that would allow our programs to occur simultaneously – how that would
work in a way that we could coexist and that they could continue to offer their
programs that they’re currently offering.”
Regarding the potential purchase, Sunday said that both county appraisals are
higher than the asking price. When questioned about the possibility of negotiating
an even lower price, Sunday explained that the original asking price was $12
million. “They started with me at $10 million and we’re at $9.5 million,” he said.
Commission Chairman Tony Anderson stated, “Thirty acres in south Walton
County is worth a whole lot more than $10 million dollars.”
Sunday said that there have already been conversations at the staff level regarding
what county sports and recreational programs could be offered at this site, plus the
potential opportunity for a senior center, a community center and recreational staff
offices.
Walton County Parks and Recreation Director Shane Supple addressed the question
of administering county programs and events unhampered by Boys & Girls Club
programs, which are needed to meet public demand.
“Currently, we have a 30-year lease to use the multi-purpose fields. One of my
concerns is that if we lose the property in the next couple of years, we’d lose that
greenspace, which we are already past capacity and that would really put us in a
bind,” he said. The county currently uses the basketball courts, there is a pickleball
program and sand volleyball courts. “We plan on doing a volleyball camp this
summer,” said Supple. “As far as potential, really it’s pretty much unlimited what
you could do with that facility as far as we are concerned.” Supple pointed out that
the county does not own an indoor recreation facility.
The building was constructed in 2008 and some upgrades will need to be made.
However, Supple explained that since the facility opened, the county has
maintained the fields and installed outdoor lighting and they routinely work with
the school district allowing South Walton High School to use the fields, too. He
noted that the county has worked with the Boys & Girls Club for many years
without issue.
After more discussion and public comments, the motion to enter into the due
diligence agreement was brought to a vote and passed unanimously.
Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast in Santa Rosa Beach. During the BCC’s
most recent meeting, County Administrator Stan Sunday introduced the item for
consideration, noting that to move forward, the BCC would need to sign a
contingent agreement with the organization and then perform their due diligence
regarding the property.
The site consists of two parcels amounting to 30 acres, which includes the 29,570-
square-foot indoor facility and outdoor ball fields. Administrator Sunday said the
county has obtained two independent appraisals and arrived at a contingent
contract price of $9.5 million.
“Contingent upon your approval of that today, we would move forward with our
due diligence and obtain property inspection, as well as title search and things of
that nature,” said Sunday. “What we’re asking for today is approval of that
contract.”
There was considerable discussion regarding the property, the agreement process,
the continued presence of the Boys & Girls Club programs and the possibility of
continuing to negotiate for a lower price.
Administrator Sunday noted that the contingency agreement allows the county to
withdraw their consideration of the purchase without penalty and allows the BCC
to review any and all aspects of the proposed purchase. Sunday said it would cost
about $6,000 to perform the property inspection, including the roof and HVAC
system.
He also addressed the question of the Boys & Girls Club continued presence. “The
‘ask’ right now from Boys & Girls Club is for them to be able to talk to us and
enter into some sort of long-term lease agreement. Those conversations are yet to
be had,” said Sunday. “I have had staff working to look at any potential structural
changes that would allow our programs to occur simultaneously – how that would
work in a way that we could coexist and that they could continue to offer their
programs that they’re currently offering.”
Regarding the potential purchase, Sunday said that both county appraisals are
higher than the asking price. When questioned about the possibility of negotiating
an even lower price, Sunday explained that the original asking price was $12
million. “They started with me at $10 million and we’re at $9.5 million,” he said.
Commission Chairman Tony Anderson stated, “Thirty acres in south Walton
County is worth a whole lot more than $10 million dollars.”
Sunday said that there have already been conversations at the staff level regarding
what county sports and recreational programs could be offered at this site, plus the
potential opportunity for a senior center, a community center and recreational staff
offices.
Walton County Parks and Recreation Director Shane Supple addressed the question
of administering county programs and events unhampered by Boys & Girls Club
programs, which are needed to meet public demand.
“Currently, we have a 30-year lease to use the multi-purpose fields. One of my
concerns is that if we lose the property in the next couple of years, we’d lose that
greenspace, which we are already past capacity and that would really put us in a
bind,” he said. The county currently uses the basketball courts, there is a pickleball
program and sand volleyball courts. “We plan on doing a volleyball camp this
summer,” said Supple. “As far as potential, really it’s pretty much unlimited what
you could do with that facility as far as we are concerned.” Supple pointed out that
the county does not own an indoor recreation facility.
The building was constructed in 2008 and some upgrades will need to be made.
However, Supple explained that since the facility opened, the county has
maintained the fields and installed outdoor lighting and they routinely work with
the school district allowing South Walton High School to use the fields, too. He
noted that the county has worked with the Boys & Girls Club for many years
without issue.
After more discussion and public comments, the motion to enter into the due
diligence agreement was brought to a vote and passed unanimously.
