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Mulieri Takes Reins Of Tourist Development Council

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: January 6, 2009

Updated:

NEW PORT RICHEY - The Pasco Tourist Development Council will ring in a new year with a new chairwoman, Commissioner Pat Mulieri.

Mulieri will take over the gavel at the next TDC meeting Jan. 21 from Commission Chairman Jack Mariano. Mulieri served before on the TDC, in 2005.

Pasco tourism was bucking the trends in 2008, often increasing tourism revenue collected here despite the economic downturn.

The levies puts a 2 percent surcharge on bills for overnight motel and hotel stays and other short-term rental accommodations to fund tourism programs. The TDC, with government and business leaders, advises the County Commission on how best to spend the tourist tax revenue.

MULIERI

Sports marketing has been a big trend during Mariano's tenure. The county had joined the Florida Sports Foundation in order to lure more tournaments here.

A lacrosse event was one result. For a second year, Dick's Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions returned to Pasco County Jan. 2-4. Mulieri planned to attend the closing day festivities.

Based on last year's participation, organizers added a third day to the lacrosse event with more than 30 teams competing. Last year's tournament featured 25 teams from 12 states and Canada. New Westminster Salmonbellies from British Columbia, Canada, and Team Illinois West returned to defend their championship titles.

"I plan to be involved," Mulieri said about expanding Pasco's tourism base.

"I do believe we should continue with the multi-use facility," Mulieri added.

Since late October, the county has been negotiating with two private firms about managing a proposed sports complex in Pasco. The county could tap tourism tax money to build it, but doesn't have the funds to operate it, county staff had explained to commissioners.

Big League Dreams and Sportsplex USA have expressed interest in managing the new facility, which the county would own.

Big League Dreams currently operates nine sports complexes, Scott P. Stromer, the county's purchasing director, wrote in an Oct. 28 memo to county commissioners. The company creates baseball and softball fields that replicate professional baseball stadiums.

Sportsplex USA operates one sports complex that utilizes a mix of baseball-softball fields and soccer fields, Stromer added. Sportsplex USA approach develops a custom "mix" of facilities for each location, such as field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, softball, or other sports.

The next TDC meeting will start at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the board room of the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey. The meetings are open to the public.

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