A public auction notice was posted today (1.24.19) for Stonebridge Golf Club in Lakeland but the staff at the Club has been told there is no cause for alarm.
The auction notice says six parcels will be sold on the D’Army Bailey Courthouse steps at noon Feb. 14th.
Personnel at the Club (who did not want to be identified) said today they were told not to worry, that the debt was being restructured and they would not lose their jobs.
One of the partners in the Club, Mark Lovell, was contacted today. He is on vacation, he said, and unable to talk.
In addition to his relationship with Stonebridge, he is a former state senator and founder of the Delta Fair.
Commissioner Wesley Wright said, “I want to calm everyone’s fears about there being apartments, condos or homes being built on the golf course.
“You would have to go through the Board of Appeals, MPC/DRC (Municipal Planning/Design Review Commission) and the BOC (Board of Commissioners). So essentially three Boards would have to approve something like that.
“It’s currently zoned as agriculture which would have to be changed. In addition, we know Stonebridge residents and Lakeland does not want the rezoning or multi-family units on the property.
“I cannot comment on the restructuring and the business transaction. He might be trying to find a more favorable interest rate or other favorable terms. But we know that we want to do what is best for Stonebridge and Lakeland”
The Mayor and other Commissioners were unavailable for comment.
The Club and golf course are at 3049 Davies Plantation in Lakeland.
Since 2016, the property has been involved in a lawsuit between two partners: Mr. Lovell and Robert Mears. At that time, Mr. Mears said his partner was interested in subdividing the property, selling and putting in apartments.
The Club was built in 1973 and purchased in April 2013 for $1.5 million from Textron Financial by Golf Nation, LLC which is Mr. Mears and Mr. Lovell.
Stonebridge was recognized yesterday as Business of the Year by the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce.
