There are 49 lift stations currently in the City of Winter Springs; 16 currently have back-up generators. An additional five (5) additional generators have been approved to purchase with funds from the Capital Improvements budget.

When low areas of land or where pipe depth underground becomes excessive, pump stations or lift stations are installed. These stations lift the wastewater to a higher point so it can again flow by gravity, or the wastewater can be pumped under pressure directly to the treatment plant. The generators will prevent sanitary sewer overflows when the electricity goes out!

On August 8, 2023, the City of Winter Springs embarked on a significant environmental enhancement project: the clearing of debris from our city’s creeks! This initiative will not only bolster our environment but also ensure that stormwater flows smoothly throughout our beloved city, safeguarding against possible flooding and enhancing the natural beauty of our waterways.

Thanks to a grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Looks Great Services of Columbia, Mississippi, will begin the essential task of clearing debris from five separate creeks to restore functionality and improve the smooth flow of stormwater throughout the City.

For those interested in the project’s specifics:

Funding Dynamics: The NRCS grant is a significant boon, covering up to 75% of the project’s total cost. The City of Winter Springs, committed as always to the betterment of its environment and infrastructure, will fund the remaining 25%.

Project Flow and Duration: Starting with Gee Creek, the project will systematically progress to Bear, Howell, No Name, and finally, Sheoah Creeks. Given the scale and importance of the project, it’s anticipated to span several weeks, ensuring that each creek gets the dedicated attention it requires.

Visual Mapping: For residents keen to understand the areas that will be under focus, we have detailed maps available.

The project will start with work along Gee Creek, followed by Bear, Howell, No Name, and Sheoah Creeks, and is expected to take several weeks to complete.

We’re excited about this project, and its implications for Winter Springs. Restoring the natural flow and beauty of our creeks is a step towards a cleaner, greener, and safer city. We urge all residents to be patient and cooperative during this period, ensuring that the crews can carry out their tasks seamlessly.

Your feedback and observations are always invaluable. Please reach out with any comments or concerns. Together, let’s make Winter Springs a beacon of environmental responsibility and beauty.

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Hometown Hill Day: A Central Florida Leadership Forum, an event produced by the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Kevin McCain of Winter Springs recently provided a comprehensive update on the state of the city. The forum served as an open platform for federal, state, and local officials to discuss and promote awareness about different political issues affecting the community.

The forum featured panel discussions that included prominent political commentators and experts, federal, state, and local officials such as Jason Brodeur (Florida State Senator District 10), Rachel Plakon (Florida State Representative District 36), and several other dignitaries, including Mayor McCain.

Addressing the congregation, Mayor Kevin McCain of Winter Springs delivered the State of the Union update for the city, in which he highlighted:

1. Recognition of city commissioners, city staff, contractors, and other partners contributing to the city’s success.
2. Brief history of Winter Springs, originally known as North Orlando, and now shares a symbiotic relationship with the Tusall community that makes up about half of the city.
3. The city’s prime location with close proximity to downtown Orlando and the excellent services provided by the police department. The city ranked 4th safest in the state in 2022.
4. Challenges and action plans after the 2022 hurricane season, which caused extensive water damage. The city is working on strengthening stormwater systems, with around $10 million in federal grants obtained for reinforcement and clearing of water systems.
5. Body cameras for police officers funded with the help of Representative Smith, ensuring transparency and safety.
6. The city’s strong financial position, with improved pension fund and bond ratings, and a consistent property tax rate with no increases for 14 years.
7. Ongoing parks initiative that has resulted in park upgrades and addition of new facilities like bathrooms, basketball courts, and pickleball courts.
8. Hosting of annual events such as the celebration of Freedom for Fireworks display, hometown Harvest, a music festival in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Winter Wonderland Parade, and the Scottish Highland Games.
9. Major infrastructure project, the largest in the city’s history, for the replacement of antiquated wastewater treatment plants. The $100 million project is crucial for the environment and property values, and is expected to start next year.
10. Commitment to maintaining the brand and character of Winter Springs, with the aim to control the type and quality of incoming developments.

Mayor McCain closed the address by inviting questions from the audience, ensuring transparency and willingness to discuss any issue related to the city.

This event was a part of the five-session program organized to enable participants to engage in meaningful discussions about the current state of affairs and to meet with elected officials who could aid in implementing change. 

Participating Panelists Jason Brodeur – Florida State Senator District 10 Rachel Plakon – Florida State Representative District 36 Susan Plasencia – Florida State Representative District 37 David Smith – Florida State Representative District 38 Doug Bankson – Florida State Representative District 39 Bob Dallari – Seminole County Commissioner District 1 Lee Constantine – Seminole County Commissioner District 3 Amy Lockhart – Seminole County Commissioner District 4 David Johnson – Seminole County Property Appraiser Grant Maloy – Seminole County Clerk of the Courts Sheriff Dennis Lemma – Seminole County Sheriff Chris Anderson – Seminole County Supervisor of Elections J.R. Kroll – Seminole County Tax Collector Megan Sladek – Mayor of Oviedo Kevin McCann – Mayor of Winter Springs * Speakers subject to change

The Hometown Hill Day event was a testament to the importance of open dialogue and engagement between community leaders and the public in shaping the future of our cities.

For more information on Mayor McCain’s address or any other discussions at the event, contact Jordan Hook at the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Remember, the views shared by the participants, including Mayor McCain, are their own and do not reflect the endorsement of the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Exciting news for Winter Springs! We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve secured a substantial grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the extensive cleanup of several of our city’s creeks.

This grant, approved in June, empowers us to enlist a skilled contractor to handle the task of removing substantial vegetation, large trees, and heavy sedimentation from Bear, Gee, Howell, No Name, and Sheoah Creeks.

Following City Commission approval, dedicated crews will undertake the essential task of clearing these creeks of debris and sediment. This will restore their functionality, facilitating efficient stormwater flow throughout our city, and contributing to a healthier ecosystem.

Thanks to the terms of the NRCS grant, up to 75% of the total project cost will be covered, leaving Winter Springs to fund the remaining 25%. This cost-sharing model exemplifies our commitment to responsibly managing city resources.

The work is set to kick off in July and is projected to wrap up by the end of August. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impacts of this cleanup project on our city’s environment and infrastructure.

Stay tuned to our blog for updates on this exciting project and more about how we’re working to make Winter Springs an even better place to live.

We’re thrilled to announce that Winter Springs is enthusiastically joining the national pickleball craze!

We’re currently in the process of constructing what will be the largest complex dedicated to this fast-growing sport in Seminole County. The facility, set to have 14 courts, will be capable of hosting tournaments, leagues, and possibly even serving as a home for a professional team.

Cities such as Tampa and St. Pete have their major sports teams, and we’re excited about the potential for Winter Springs to follow suit, leveraging our pickleball complex to possibly attract a major league pickleball club to call our city home.

We’ve been steadily working towards building this pavilion at Central Winds Park for several years, and construction officially began in March. Originally, the complex was going to feature 13 standard courts and one tournament-sized court. However, we listened to our community and decided to make all of the courts tournament-sized. This change will not only generate revenue for our city but also draw professional pickleball players and enthusiasts from all over.

I believe this project presents a fantastic opportunity for us to utilize these courts to host tournaments and leagues, which could provide a substantial income stream to our city. But rest assured, while the possibility for tournaments is exciting, the primary focus of this pickleball facility is our Winter Springs residents. The facility is, first and foremost, for our community, and our residents will always have priority access at no cost to play the game they love.

The construction of the pickleball facility, which is expected to cost the city $2.9 million, will be funded using park impact fees.

Pickleball courts have been popping up all over Central Florida, reflecting the popularity of this dynamic sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The sport’s popularity has soared, growing by 159% over three years to 8.9 million players in 2022, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

Here in Winter Springs, we are thrilled to be a part of this trend and look forward to welcoming everyone to our new pickleball courts once completed. Let’s embrace this exciting opportunity to bring more sport and community spirit to our wonderful city!

What a great event by the City of Winter Springs! Our littlest residents had a fantastic time with the Parks and Recreation team as they learned how to fish safely last month! Our city staff taught the young anglers how to bait a hook, tie a knot, and cast properly. At the end of the morning, each participant left with a free fishing pole, thanks to FWC, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission!!!

This is a pre-registered event and every year it reaches capacity, so if you plan to join us next year, please register early!