Boca National Golf Course (formerly Ocean Breeze)

Update: January 28, 2020

The Boca Raton City Council and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District (GBRBPD) Commissioners met to discuss next steps in the development of the former Ocean Breeze Golf Course. The GBRBPD asked the City to approve the the Price Fazio golf course design. The District will submit the application to build the golf course to the City’s Development Services Department and negotiations for an interlocal agreement will continue. Watch meeting here.

Update: January 14, 2020

City Council and Beach & Parks District to Meet on January 27

The City drafted amendments to an Interlocal Agreement regarding potential development and operation of the proposed golf course, and delivered it for review to the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District Commissioners (GBRBPD). The District commissioners publicly reviewed and discussed the proposed ILA at their regular meeting on January 6, 2020, and voted unanimously to reject the amended document as drafted.  

At the City Council Workshop on January 13, 2020, the Boca Raton City Council discussed the District Board’s action and follow up letter and then heard from the GBRBPD Executive Director. 

The next joint meeting between the agencies is scheduled for Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Boca Raton Community Center at 150 Crawford Blvd. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 6:00 pm.

Update: November 13, 2019

The Boca Raton City Council met with the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District (GBRBPD) commissioners on Tuesday, November 12, to resume discussions about the design, construction and operation of the proposed Boca National Golf Course. The District presented a revised golf course design estimate from Price Fazio that reduced the project from $28 million to approximately $15 million, keeping the main elements and deferring features that could be phased in later, like landscaping, a composter, teaching facility and a halfway house/restroom.

The District agreed that the City should fund, construct and operate the golf course, and the entities agreed that the City would expedite a proposal to seek additional design and construction bids that include:

• An 18- hole course
• A short course
• A driving range
• A temporary clubhouse

The District will have the ability to review, make suggestions and provide feedback on the awarded bid.

The City agreed to develop an interlocal agreement (ILA) that will specify each organization’s roles and responsibilities relating to the golf course project. The City will present the new ILA to the District before the new year, and the agencies agreed to meet again on Monday, January 27, 2019 at 6:00pm at 6500 Congress Avenue.

Update: October 22, 2019

The Boca Raton City Council discussed establishing a framework to amend the existing Golf Course Interlocal Agreement with the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District. In order to start the process, staff drafted a terms sheet outlining the City’s interest in managing the design, construction and development of the proposed Boca National Golf Course with suggested next steps. The letter was sent to the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District staff to review and consider prior to the District’s November 4th meeting and in advance of the November 12 joint meeting.  

Update: October 3, 2019

The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District held its Final Budget hearing on October 1 and voted to keep the millage rate the same as last year: 0.9147. The District and the City Council will meet on Tuesday, November 12, to discuss the funding and development of the proposed Boca National Golf Course. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 6500 Congress Avenue.

Update: September 30, 2019

The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District held its final budget hearing meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the Swim & Racquet Club. After hearing comments from a standing room only crowd about the proposed tax increase and the plans for the Boca National Golf Course, commissioners decided to recess the meeting and continue on Tuesday, October 1, at 6pm at the Sugar Sand Park Community Center located at 300 South Military Trail in Boca Raton. The meeting is open to the public. https://www.mybocaparks.org/

Update: September 24, 2019

On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, the Boca Raton City Council passed a Resolution reaffirming its prior offers of financial support to the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District and opposing the District’s proposed tax increase.

Council members have expressed their ability and willingness to collaborate with the District, including but not limited to assisting with funding and operations of the proposed Ocean Breeze Golf Course and financing for current projects and obligations that the District has de-funded. To see the discussion, watch the meeting here. ( click on item 16, Resolutions & Other Business)

The District will conduct a final public hearing in connection with the District’s proposed tax millage rate and budget for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. at the Swim & Racquet Center located at 21618 St. Andrews Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida where they will vote on a proposed increase of 19.43% above the roll back millage rate.  

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BOCA RATON REAFFIRMING THE CITY’S PRIOR OFFERS, INCLUDING OFFERS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT, FOR IMPORTANT CAPITAL PROJECTS OF THE GREATER BOCA RATON BEACH AND PARK DISTRICT AND OPPOSING THE SIGNIFICANT TAX INCREASE PROPOSED BY THE DISTRICT IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISTRICT’S BUDGET FOR THE 2019-2020 FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

                 WHEREAS, the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District (“District”) is considering a number of important recreation and related capital projects for the benefit of the residents of the District and the City, including, but not limited to, a golf course (on property formerly known as Ocean Breeze), improvements to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, site lighting improvements to Countess DeHoernle Park, park maintenance facilities at Spanish River Park and Countess DeHoernle Park, and restroom renovations at Red Reef Park South; and

                 WHEREAS, the City in March 2018 provided financing to the District in the amount of 19 Million Dollars ($19,000,000.00) for the purchase of the Ocean Breeze property, at which time the District indicated it would have sufficient funds to undertake development of a golf course and related amenities on the property without a tax rate increase; and

                 WHEREAS, the District subsequently indicated to the City that its revenues were not projected to be sufficient to accomplish the golf course and other important projects and to meet the District’s ongoing financial obligations and requested funding from the City in the amount of approximately 20 Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) to support construction of a golf course at Ocean Breeze to be programmed and designed by the District; and

                 WHEREAS, the City expressed concern about the proposed golf course design and  projected construction and operating costs; and

                 WHEREAS, the City has expressed further concern that the completion of the District’s other recreational capital projects outlined above will be postponed, perhaps indefinitely, by the District’s golf course plan; and

                 WHEREAS, the City formally offered to fund the construction and operation of an 18-hole golf course on the former Ocean Breeze property on the west north side of NW 2^nd Avenue, including a clubhouse, driving range, and maintenance facility, as well as complementary amenities on the east side of NW 2^nd Avenue, to be programmed and designed by the City in collaboration with the District; and

                 WHEREAS, the City has, in addition, formally offered financing to the District to allow the District to fund the following capital improvements: i) the portion of the golf course project east of NW 2^nd Avenue for recreational amenities complementary to the 18-hole golf course on the west, if the west course is undertaken by the District; ii) improvements to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center; iii) Spanish River Park maintenance facilities; and iv) DeHoernle Park site lighting improvements and maintenance facilities, all in collaboration with the District; and

                 WHEREAS, the City has planned to construct at City expense the Phase II improvements to DeHoernle Park previously planned to be funded by the District; and

                 WHEREAS, the District has removed from its 2019 – 2020 proposed budget its funding for the following important and necessary capital projects planned to be completed by the City and the District, all of which have also been previously postponed by the District: i) DeHoernle Park site lighting ($225,000); ii) DeHoernle Park maintenance facility ($170,000); iii) Spanish River Park maintenance facility ($231,000); iv) Red Reef Park South restroom renovations ($185,000), a total of $719,300; and

                 WHEREAS, the City’s financing, which would not require an increase in the City’s property tax millage rate, would eliminate the need for a District property tax millage rate increase; and

                 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Boca Raton desires to reaffirm the City’s prior offers as described above; and

                 WHEREAS, the District will conduct a final public hearing in connection with the District’s proposed tax millage rate and budget for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. at the Swim & Racquet Center located at 21618 St. Andrews Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida; and

                 WHEREAS, the District is proposing a significant increase in the tax rate on taxpayers that reside within the boundaries of the District (including City residents) equal to an increase of 19.43% above the District’s roll back millage rate; and

                 WHEREAS, the City Council encourages the District to accept the City’s offers, including the offer of financing, that will support the District’s fiscally responsible use of taxpayer money and responsible budgeting; and

                 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Boca Raton wishes to express its opposition to the proposed significant tax increase being considered by the District in connection with the District’s budget for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year, especially in light of the City’s repeated efforts to collaborate with the District; now therefore 

                               BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOCA RATON: 

                 Section 1.  The foregoing recitals are incorporated herein.

                 Section 2.  The City Council of the City of Boca Raton reaffirms its offers, including the offer of financing, to the District that will support the District’s fiscally responsible use of taxpayer money and responsible budgeting.

                 Section 3.  The City Council of the City of Boca Raton hereby declares its opposition to the proposed, significant, tax rate increase being considered by the District in connection with the District’s budget for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year, which the District announced will result in an increase of 19.43% above the District’s roll back millage rate.  The City Council encourages the District to reconsider and to elect not to adopt such increase in the District’s tax rate, and, instead, to collaborate with the City to build an outstanding golf course and other recreational amenities.

                 Section 4.  The City Clerk is directed to forward promptly a copy of this resolution to all District Commissioners and to the Executive Director of the District. 

Update: September 16, 2019

At a public meeting on September 12 to discuss the planning and development of the Boca National Golf Course, the agencies were unable to reach a consensus, but committed to quarterly meetings beginning Tuesday, November 12 at 5:30 pm. The next joint, public meeting will be held at 6500 Congress Avenue. View the September 12 meeting.

Update: September 10, 2019

The Boca Raton City Council and the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District will discuss the City’s conceptual offer regarding the development of the golf course at Ocean Breeze at a joint meeting to be held on Thursday, September 12 at 5pm at 6500 Congress Avenue.  The City’s offer is to program, design, build and operate an 18-hole golf course on the Ocean Breeze property on the west side of second Avenue, including a clubhouse, driving range and maintenance facility. The City would also be willing to undertake programming, design, construction and operation of amenities on the east side of NW 2nd Avenue. 

The City is also offering financing to the District to fund capital improvements. Discussion will take place at the joint meeting.  

Update: August 28, 2019

The City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, August 27, to review requests for information on Boca National Golf Course design. Due to concerns over the cost of the proposed new course being developed by the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District (GBRBPD), the City issued a Request for Information (RFI) solely for information and planning purposes. The intent was to explore whether a high quality 18-hole course could be designed and constructed under $8 million dollars.

The City Council reached consensus to make a conceptual offer to the GBRBPD which includes a proposal for the City to design, build and operate an 18-hole golf course on the Ocean Breeze property on the west side of NW 2nd Avenue including a clubhouse, driving range, maintenance facility and complimentary amenities. This City is also willing to consider designing, constructing and operating amenities on the east side of NW 2nd  Avenue.

Details and agreements will have to be discussed at a joint meeting so that the two agencies can continue their commitment and partnership to keeping golf in Boca Raton.  

Update: August 26, 2019

The City received 16 responses that will be reviewed at the special workshop on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 3pm. 

View Boca National Review of Information Responses (PDF).

Update: August 22, 2019

The City of Boca Raton sought out information from professional Golf Course Design and Golf Course Design-Build firms for the proposed design and re-construction of an 18-hole golf course.  Some of the information being sought was direction and ideas regarding the design of the course and an estimation of the costs of the design and construction. 

The golf course is located on the site of the former Ocean Breeze Golf Course, 5800 NW 2^nd Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida. This golf course originally consisted of three 9-hole courses (27 holes in total), located on separate parcels of land (for reference, the north, south and east parcels) of approximately 70 acres each.  This golf course ceased operation in 2016.    

The proposed project would include redeveloping the north and south parcels only (located on the west side of NW 2^nd Avenue, separated by Jeffrey Street, as shown on the attached map.)  The City is interested to know if the redevelopment of the two parcels to create two 9-hole courses can be designed and constructed for under $8,000,000, so the part of the information requested is a proposed schedule of values for the various design and construction components. (If the design and construction costs are estimated to exceed $8,000,000, please denote which areas contribute to the higher costs.)

The proposed golf course redevelopment should be for a viable golf facility that meets the standards of the City of Boca Raton.  The facility should be an 18-hole golf course with a minimum length of 6,700 yards from the back tees and a par of 72, as well as a putting course, irrigation system, driving range, maintenance facility, golf cart storage facility, minimalist clubhouse, stormwater drainage and on-course restrooms/shelters.

The City received 16 requests for information that will be reviewed at the workshop. 

Please note that this RFI was issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an obligation to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the City to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the submitting firm’s expense; the City will not pay for any submitted information or any costs incurred in providing information in response to this RFI.  Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. All RFI responses will be public and should not contain any proprietary or confidential information.

View map of former Ocean Breeze Golf Course (PDF)

View printable Request for Information (PDF)

Update: February 13, 2018

At the February 13 City Council meeting, the City Council passed a budget amendment, resolution and ordinance authorizing the issuance of a revenue bond not to exceed $20,000,000 to provide funds on behalf of the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District for acquisition of the Ocean Breeze property. This property will be used for recreational and related facilities for the benefit of City and District residents.

The District is in the process of hiring and coordinating consultants and contractors to begin the redevelopment of the 27-hole golf course.

Update: January 24, 2018

Resolution 10-2018, the Interlocal Agreement with the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District was adopted and the ordinances pertaining to the City Bond and City Budget Amendment were introduced.

Consideration of the City Bond Ordinance and City Budget Amendment will be considered at the February 13, 2018 City Council Meeting.