Commissioner Victoria Bruce answers a common resident question: Why is there so much development in Winter Springs — and what can the City actually control?

Central Winds Pickleballers, the end-of-year schedule is officially here! Now that our successful Summer League has wrapped up, we’re ready to share the exciting lineup of activities and programs for August through the end of 2025.

As we transition into fall, we’re focusing on providing options for all skill levels, including private lessons, group clinics, and our popular round-robin events. It’s a perfect time to sharpen your skills or simply enjoy friendly competition with neighbors and friends in the community.

What’s Coming Up?

Here’s what you can look forward to at Central Winds Pickleball:

• Private Lessons: Tailored instruction to help you improve your technique, strategy, and overall game performance.
• Group Clinics: Perfect opportunities to learn alongside others, refine your skills, and socialize with fellow pickleball enthusiasts.
• Round-Robins: Join in these informal yet competitive matches to challenge yourself and connect with other players.

Fall Leagues: Register by September 10th!

We’re gearing up for an exciting Fall League season! Whether you’re registering as a solo player, have a partial team, or have gathered a full team, we’d love to see you on the courts. Be sure to submit your inquiry form by September 10th to secure your spot.

Court Reservations

As a friendly reminder, Courts #9 – 14 will be reserved for scheduled programs during designated hours. These courts will reopen for public reservations outside of programmed activities, ensuring that everyone in our community has fair access to our fantastic pickleball facilities.

Stay Up to Date

For the full program calendar, complete details on registration, and the latest updates, please visit: CentralWindsPickleball.com

We look forward to seeing you on the courts!

Warm regards,

Victoria K. Bruce

City Commissioner, District 2

Winter Springs

If your summer plans include quality time with your pup at Central Winds Dog Park, please note that the park will be temporarily closed from June 30 through July 31, 2025, for scheduled maintenance and upgrades.

I want to share what’s happening behind the scenes to improve the dog park, and why this brief closure is important for the long-term safety, beauty, and enjoyment of the space.

What’s Included in This Year’s Maintenance

Thanks to coordination with our City staff, this year’s improvements will include:

• Resodding heavily worn turf areas to restore healthy grass
• Grass seeding throughout the park for better ground cover and erosion control
• Pressure washing of surfaces to ensure cleanliness and safety
• Tree trimming to reduce hazards and improve shade
• Fence repairs where needed for safety and enclosure
• Water feature and fountain maintenance to keep hydration stations functioning

These updates are part of an annual effort to ensure that the Central Winds Dog Park remains one of the most enjoyable, well-maintained dog parks in the area.

Why It Matters

While we all love seeing the dog park full of tail wags and happy romps, high usage during the spring and early summer takes a toll on the grounds. By closing the park briefly during the peak heat of July, we give the grass and infrastructure a chance to recover and reset. This helps prevent bigger repair needs down the line and ensures the safety of all two-legged and four-legged visitors.

As a dog lover myself, I know how much this space means to residents across Winter Springs. That’s why I fully support this proactive approach to maintenance. It’s part of our larger commitment to clean, functional, and accessible parks throughout the city.

Looking Ahead

The park is scheduled to reopen on August 1, assuming weather conditions allow the maintenance work to stay on track. I’ll continue to keep you updated on any changes to the schedule.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding as we take these important steps to care for a place we all value. If you have questions or suggestions related to the dog park—or any of our community spaces—feel free to reach out.

Victoria K. Bruce

Commissioner, District 2

Winter Springs, Florida

Visit victoriaforwintersprings.com

By Commissioner Victoria Bruce, Winter Springs District 2

At our recent Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District Advisory Committee meeting, the conversation focused on more than medians, fountains, and mulch. It centered around the pressing need to address an aging infrastructure, decades of deferred updates, and how we ensure our district reflects the pride we all have in calling Tuscawilla home.

It’s Time to Catch Up

During the meeting, Mayor Kevin McCann briefly addressed the committee to acknowledge the financial challenges facing the district. While his remarks acknowledged the importance of the board’s role, it’s clear that the circumstances we’re in today stem in part from years of inaction and postponed improvements. As it stands, this board is being asked to make up for lost time while still respecting the financial limitations of our residents.

The truth is, the current budget is stretched thin. The assessment cap has not increased since 2007, despite inflation and rising maintenance costs. We’re now looking at a fund balance of just $14,000, which leaves little room for emergencies or meaningful progress.

What We’re Facing Today

Our community is experiencing visible signs of neglect:

• Lights are out at key entry monuments and throughout the neighborhood
• Streetlight poles are mismatched or missing tops
• Landscaping is declining, and irrigation has been unreliable
• The North Fountain remains non-operational, despite past efforts

When maintenance becomes patchwork and not proactive, the community suffers. Residents have stepped in to hand-water plants during dry seasons, and lighting has gone dark during the holidays. These are not small inconveniences. They’re signs of a system long overdue for attention.

Proposals on the Table

A clear-eyed view of the budget and district priorities has brought forward a list of proposed projects:

• Re-landscaping 23 medians in phases, prioritizing the most deteriorated
• Updating irrigation systems and addressing long-overlooked fertilization needs
• Repainting and repairing 123 streetlight and signage poles
• Replacing equipment at both fountains and restoring them to full functionality
• Exploring an extension of community walls to improve uniformity and privacy along major roads

Additionally, we are reviewing lighting infrastructure to ensure all entry monuments and signs are properly illuminated moving forward.

These needs are not new. What’s new is a sense of urgency to finally do something about them.

Funding the Future

City staff are working with consultants to complete a rate study. This study will evaluate what a responsible adjustment to the current $128 annual assessment could look like. The purpose is not to overburden homeowners. It’s to bring the district up to a standard residents have always expected and deserve. These changes will be guided by resident input and handled with full transparency.

Where We Go from Here

We’re planning:

• A special meeting to review rate study findings
• A public hearing this summer for community feedback
• A commitment to only proceed with what is reasonable and beneficial

Our Community, Our Choice

I have always stood for transparent, fiscally responsible government. This process is about putting Tuscawilla residents first, not just keeping up appearances. If we want a community that reflects our pride and care, we must make informed decisions now and ensure this board isn’t left with the same difficult choices five or ten years from now.

We have work to do, but I believe in our ability to do it together—with clarity, fairness, and focus on what really matters.

Email: victoria@victoriaforwintersprings.com

Website: www.victoriaforwintersprings.com