One of the three Sun City Center courses which developer WCI Communities is attempting to sell is being closed by the company to save operating expenses.
The North Lakes course in the Sun City Center age-restricted development between Tampa and Sarasota, Fla., is being closed, while the other two resident-only courses, Caloosa Greens and Sandpiper, will remain open, at least for the time being.
WCI, which recently emerged from bankruptcy protection, had announced earlier that the three courses were for sale, at an asking price of $3.9 million for the three. The homeowners association residents received notice from WCI on September 26 that the North Lakes course would be closing as of October 5.
One catch in WCI’s attempt to sell the courses is a 1984 agreement that gave the Sun City Center Community Association the right of first refusal on the courses, and required that the courses only be open to Association members. WCI has asked the Association to waive those agreements in order to enhance the possibility of a sale, but thus far residents have been reluctant to release their control over the courses’ fate.
Some association board members, however, have said they would be willing to waive those restrictions and open the courses to public play if they felt a new buyer would keep the courses open and in good condition.