Heard a rumor last night that Vortex has sold the property to a new golf course developement, which will be using the small pond next to the main spring for runoff. What will become of diving?
Vortex Spring Sale Rumor
- Thread starter jviehe
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SuPrBuGmAn
Contributor
Morrison will be even more crowded 
The Kraken
He Who Glows in the Dark Waters (ADVISOR)
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Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Anyone who would shoot that golden goose is an idiot!!!
All they have to do is do one cash flow analysis on the place and they wouldn't dare kill that business.
Yellow Angel Fish and I did a rough analysis one Saturday during dive season when we were down there. A rough, conservative estimate was that they brought in about $50,000 on one Saturday.
the K
All they have to do is do one cash flow analysis on the place and they wouldn't dare kill that business.
Yellow Angel Fish and I did a rough analysis one Saturday during dive season when we were down there. A rough, conservative estimate was that they brought in about $50,000 on one Saturday.
the K
As I have heard it, that rumor is in fact true. I don't know about the golf course development part of the story, but I do know it has been sold. I understand there will be no impact on the diving operations "for a while yet".
Phil Ellis
Phil Ellis
Dao Jones
Guest
When we did our checkout dives at Vortex around the first of August the papers had already been signed. This came directly from a family member who was very angry about the sale.
I guess everyone has their priorities. If the net from the sale outweighs the income potential and associated headaches involved in running it as a business I guess you could walk away and be happy about it. I'd like to face that dilema and find out for myself!
The Kraken:
I guess everyone has their priorities. If the net from the sale outweighs the income potential and associated headaches involved in running it as a business I guess you could walk away and be happy about it. I'd like to face that dilema and find out for myself!
OP
I would think headaches would be the primary annoyance. The swimmers and such as well as the modifications to the spring have ruined the place. I would be happy to see it returned to a more natural state.Dao Jones:
mike_s
Contributor
I heard it had been sold about a month or so ago.... (I thought there was a thread on this...) I found where the deed was filed back in June.
The property was actually put into a trust called the "Vortex Land Trust" then. (this Trust was filed in the courts).
There were some sizeable loans out on the property also. (but not that large if you consider how many buildings were on the property.)
When I talked to them about it, they said that Vortex would remain open as a dive site.
To back that up a little, there was a news story back in July that over the 5 day 4th of July weekend, Vortex has 10,000 paying guests. (Now I'm sure 90% of those were swimmers which pays something like $5 bucks each compared to divers who now pay $32 after the rate increase)
The property was actually put into a trust called the "Vortex Land Trust" then. (this Trust was filed in the courts).
There were some sizeable loans out on the property also. (but not that large if you consider how many buildings were on the property.)
When I talked to them about it, they said that Vortex would remain open as a dive site.
To back that up a little, there was a news story back in July that over the 5 day 4th of July weekend, Vortex has 10,000 paying guests. (Now I'm sure 90% of those were swimmers which pays something like $5 bucks each compared to divers who now pay $32 after the rate increase)
ScubaKris
Guest
Vortex has put a news release on their web site, www.vortexspring.com under news.
The old guy has been very active in realestate since he came to Florida. I have noticed that something is going on with the pond, that the managers living on the property have been have yard sales, something they never did before.
The state has been trying to get back the spring.
I understand that part of the property has been sold. I understand that the dive operation part will remain.
Unless you want to loose money, the last thing you would put there is a golf course. tHEY COULD NOT GET THE DRIVING RANGE IN pAONCE dE lEON TO GO AND TURNED IT INTO CATTLE LAND A COUJPLE OF YEARS AGO.
There is a defense, if sold and whatever they do, they will probably have a rezoning meeting as with othe land sold in the area. Most of the land is zone, farm, cattle, timber etc. If the locals show up and convince their reps to vote against whatever is going on, it won't happen. This is pr bably why it has been such a big secret. Whoever bought it may be in for a very big surprise when they try to do something.
The old guy has been very active in realestate since he came to Florida. I have noticed that something is going on with the pond, that the managers living on the property have been have yard sales, something they never did before.
The state has been trying to get back the spring.
I understand that part of the property has been sold. I understand that the dive operation part will remain.
Unless you want to loose money, the last thing you would put there is a golf course. tHEY COULD NOT GET THE DRIVING RANGE IN pAONCE dE lEON TO GO AND TURNED IT INTO CATTLE LAND A COUJPLE OF YEARS AGO.
There is a defense, if sold and whatever they do, they will probably have a rezoning meeting as with othe land sold in the area. Most of the land is zone, farm, cattle, timber etc. If the locals show up and convince their reps to vote against whatever is going on, it won't happen. This is pr bably why it has been such a big secret. Whoever bought it may be in for a very big surprise when they try to do something.
mike_s
Contributor
Well I agree with you. There aren't enough people around to support a big restuarant, much less a golf course. I dont see people driving an hour up from the beach to play golf there. especially when the driving range failed.
Here's the text from the news section of Vortex website
Here's the text from the news section of Vortex website
ScubaKris
Guest
Whatever they do, if you leave your dive knife behind, not carring any weapons, it will only be a misdemenor trespass
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