published: Friday, November 28, 2008

Minneola opens new water plant

ROXANNE BROWN

Staff Writer

MINNEOLA -- City Officials, staff and residents on Tuesday attended the dedication of Minneola's newest water plant.

The Sugarloaf Mountain Water Treatment Plant is the city's third and will service more than 2,200 homes in Sugarloaf Mountain, a development in Minneola.

"I'ts a big day for Minneola and another opportunity for Minneola to meet the meeds of the people of South Lake County," Pastor Bob Beaver of the Missionary Alliance Church said as he invoked a blessing before the ribbon-cutting.

The well drilling for the Sugarloaf Plant begin in late 2005. Construction started in early 2007. Work cost more than $5.5 million.

Jerry Szelak, the plant's lead water operator, said the plant will produce 4.3 million gallons of water per day.

At the dedication, Minneola's Mayor Dave Yeager thanked the staff and past councils.

He acknowledged a tough budget year, saying he feels the plant is "a good thing" for the city despite reservations from county officials.

"We may be alone in this, but I really believe Minneola is doing the right thing. We're on the right path," Yeager said.

"This plant a huge success story. It finishes out our water supply systems and makes us capable of supplying water for all the developments coming into town for the next 5-10 years," City Manager Sam Oppelaar said. "It will ensure that there will be no water supply issues that would keep any of those developments from moving forward."