Smooth transition at Weeki Wachee

WEEKI WACHEE –
At first there was a wave of interest, but in the end the state received only a single bid for one of its most famous parks.

It was the only one it needed.

Dan LeBlanc leaped into action when he learned Weeki Wachee Springs State Park was making its food and retail available for private vendors. LeBlanc, president of the Cape Leisure Corporation, used to work in the marketing department for the company that ran the park almost 20 years ago.

“I had always had a love for Weeki Wachee,” LeBlanc said. “When I heard it was available I said, ‘Oh, hot dog! I could be back at Weeki.’ It’s a classic park.”

Last year, during the development of the Legislative Budget Requests for the fiscal year, state agencies were asked to come up with ideas to reduce their annual budgets. One of the recommendations from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks was to have private companies take over some of the state parks’ concessions, said Jessica Kemper Sims, an agency spokeswoman.

Cape Leisure, based out of Cape Canaveral, was the only company that responded to the solicitation from Weeki Wachee Springs. On July 1, it took over food services, gift shop operations, event planning and recreational rentals.

“It’s gone really well for us,” said Park Manager Toby Brewer. “It has been a pretty smooth transition.”
The kayak and canoe rentals were a goldmine for the company, LeBlanc said.

“We saw great potential there,” he said. “We sell twice as many kayaks during the summertime. We sold out just about everyday. It’s a beautiful river and it’s great for beginners and great for families.”

Weeki Wachee Springs opened 64 years ago and features live mermaid shows in its underwater theater.
It also features Buccaneer Bay, a year-round water park.

Cape Leisure operates numerous parks from Virginia to Florida, including Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

LeBlanc said any hint of controversy when his company took over portions of Weeki Wachee has since faded. A state park with privately run concessions is the traditional model statewide and across the country.

“Very few food and retail operations are being run by the state,” he said. “The thing is, I’ve always been a believer in the park … It’s very prosperous place.”

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