The city of North Port’s only tourist attraction may be closing its doors on July 1. Warm Mineral Springs and Day Spa is a fairly popular destination, but wrangling between its co-owners – the city and Sarasota County -- have left its future in limbo.
The city and county agreed to jointly purchase the Springs in 2010 from Cypress Lending - keeping the company on to manage the attraction for 30 months. The contract is up June 30. Negotiations between the city and county over how to develop the springs, spa and property have stalled. General Manager Gene Vaccaro said as a result more than 40 people stand to lose their jobs.
“These are younger people trying to make their way in this world and in this economy it’s difficult at best for everyone, but even more so for younger folks just starting out in their careers,” Vaccaro said.
The workers include lifeguards, maintenance workers, cleaners, massage therapists, cooks and servers.
Warm Mineral Springs and Day Spa is a very population destination for Eastern Europeans many of whom feel the springs are therapeutic.
Vaccaro says he’s still hopeful a last-minute deal to keep the 70-year-old attraction open. A protest opposing the closure is planned for 5 p.m. today in front of North Port City Hall.
