Two companies bid to run Warm Mineral Springs

NORTH PORT – Plans to re-open Warm Mineral Springs are moving forward after two companies submitted bids for a 12-month contract to operate the attraction. Cambridgeshire Investment LLC, based out of Port Charlotte, and WMS Sarasota Management LLC, gave the city the necessary paperwork to meet a recent deadline.

Daniel Schult, North Port assistant city manager, said the North Port City Commission is scheduled to select a short-term operator on Sept. 9.

Sarasota County, which jointly owns the springs with North Port Port, will discuss and vote on the choice Sept. 10.

North Port City Commissioner Cheryl Cook said she wants to study the companies' proposals before commenting.

“It's been a long process since (I was elected in) November,” Cook said. “I'm looking forward to moving process along and getting the springs open so people can enjoy the amenities.”

The springs have been shuttered since July 1 after Sarasota County and North Port could not agree on what to do with the 81-acre property surrounding the springs.

The city and county decided to find an operator to manage operations of the springs for 12 months while they started a search for a long-term operator.

Cypress Lending, which used to manage the springs, did not submit a bid.