By Debbie Carson, Online Editor
FELLSMERE – Fellsmere residents and mud-bogging enthusiasts counting down the days to Mud Bog Mania at MESA Park will have to wait an extra month. The grand opening celebration is now scheduled for Nov. 7.
Treasure Coast Mortorsports managing partner Ike Heckler Jr. attended the Fellsmere City Council meeting Thursday night and addressed the members during public comment. He told the council that he is still ironing out lease agreements and getting permits and needed more time to plan the event.
“We’re all excited,” Heckler said, and added after the meeting that he wants to be sure to have great entertainment in place for the grand opening.
Vice Mayor Joel Tyson asked Heckler where exactly within the MESA development the mud-bogging would be held and where parking would be.
Heckler told him that the mud-bogging would be in the northeast quadrant where the mud-bogging and pit had once operated.
City Manager Jason Nunemaker added that Heckler has been encouraged to use the existing footprint within MESA to help in getting permits approved.
As for parking, Heckler said that Treasure Coast Motorsports has arranged to use the two front parking lots and reached an agreement with Operation Hope to provide a couple thousand parking spaces there.
Early in August, members of the Fellsmere City Council voiced support for Treasure Coast Motorsports to proceed with plans to operate a mud-bog track at MESA Park for 90 days.
The decision came after more than an hour of comments from the company and more than a dozen speakers from the audience. Many of the speakers were supportive of the effort to bring MESA back to life, while a couple voiced concerns regarding noise.