FELLSMERE – The Fellsmere City Council unanimously approved a special events permit Thursday night to allow Treasure Coast Motorsports to operate mud bogging and other such activities at MESA Park starting Nov. 7.
“We’re set to go,” said organizer and manager Ike Heckler Jr., after the council meeting. The special event permit was the last piece of permitting needed to get Mud Bog Mania up and running, according to Heckler.
“I’ll be glad to see it,” said Councilwoman Sara Savage in making her motion to approve the permit. “I hope it goes well.”
Mayor Susan Adams also wished Heckler success, saying, “Good luck with your endeavor.”
While a handful of members from the public attended the meeting, only two spoke before the council regarding Treasure Coast Motorsports. Both of which were business representatives who hope to work out some agreement with either Heckler or the city to provide services or support.
No one spoke in opposition to Heckler’s plans for mud bogging and ATV racing and similar uses at the park.
Though the council supported the permit, members did have questions about a helipad included in the site plan and camping at the park.
Heckler said that the helipad would be used only in the event of a medical emergency should either a spectator or racer need to be airlifted to a hospital or trauma center.
Councilman Joel Tyson had asked if Heckler planned to offer helicopter rides as part of a side attraction, expressing concern that residents would object to having a helicopter fly over their homes.
“We hope we’re not going to use it,” Heckler said of the helipad, adding that the only time a helicopter would be on the pad would be when medical assistance is needed.
Councilwoman Sara Savage asked about hookups for the recreational vehicles that would be allowed to park at MESA overnight Fridays and Saturdays.
Heckler said that there are no electrical hookups available, nor is there a pumping station for septic. Instead, he has hired a local business, Reliable Septic and Service, of Vero Beach, to provide pumping service to the RVs.
The special event permit is good for 90 days and will expire on Feb. 6, allowing Treasure Coast Motorsports to operate mud bogging activities on Saturdays only from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lights at the park must be shut off by 10:30 p.m.
The council expects to discuss how the events are progressing and get community feedback at its Dec. 3 meeting – the last for the year – and address any problems, if any, that have arisen after the park has been in operation for 30 days.
The racetrack will be located in the northeast corner of the property, as far away from residential developments as possible to help mitigate the noise, according to City Manager Jason Nunemaker.
Treasure Coast Motorsports is expected to have a 400-foot long berm along the west side of the property to also help with noise. Organizers are also supposed to encourage participants to use mufflers to further dampen the noise.