Cypress Creek Ice and Sports Complex of Wesley Chapel Developer Gordie Zimmermann impressed the crowd that included Pasco County Commissioners Jack Mariano, Kathryn Starkey, Pat Mulieri, Ted Schrader and Henry Wilson along with Florida State Senator Wilton Simpson, Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber President Jeff Novotny, Hockey team members from Wiregrass Ranch High School, Mitchell High School and representatives from the University of South Florida whose Hockey team is thinking about playing there in future. The crowd was electric with excitement as TV cameras from all of our regional media outlets trained their lenses on the unveiling of the design for Florida’s largest ice skating facility and the announcement of plans for a 120 room hotel adjacent to the ice rinks. Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said the facility will provide recreational ice for local skaters and will attract competitors from all over the world. “Two rinks would have been great. Three rinks would have been phenomenal,” said Mariano. “But with four rinks and everything else you’re putting in here, everybody in the world is going to want to come here to play.”

Lorrie Glover is the Director of Marketing for the Connerton Communities Mary Jane Stanley Executive Director of the Pasco Economic Development Council and Chip Jones is the Director of Development for the Connerton Communities. Steve Sacone President, Chip Howison Past President, Kurt Conover, Bill Woodard of Alumi-Guard, Keith Appenzeller of King Engineering Past President and Jack Smith of Old Harbor and in front, Mary Jane Stanley Executive Director of the Pasco Economic Development Council and Janet Hudall of the United Way of Pasco County. Photos of this and other events by Anthony V. Masella Jr. at OurTownFLA.com