By Jim Shilander

A pair of long-anticipated projects will begin moving again at Vista Hermosa Sports Park after the San Clemente City Council approved a new contract for a miniature golf vendor and took steps to push completion of Courtney’s SandCastle.
The new miniature golf lease agreement is with Surf N’ Turf Paradiso LLC, a company partly run by the previous leaseholder, Scott Melcher. The previous lease gave the city 6 percent of the gross revenue of the facility and 8 percent after $400,000.
The new agreement provides the city with the same levels, but also guarantees at least $2,500 per month. The amenity will also include a mechanical wave feature.
Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Sharon Heider told the council new developments in wave technology also allow for a better and safer wave generator, which will allow body surfing and other activities at the facility.
The council also accepted $340,000 in funds that, coupled with $110,000 in promised funds from the city last fall, will help build the second phase of the Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Access Playground, a sensory garden designed for developmentally disabled youth. The council decided to move forward with bidding on the project, with the addition of a shade structure. The Courtney’s SandCastle Foundation is currently raising funds for the structure, which is estimated to cost $30,000.
Melcher said he hopes to open in May or June of next year, if not earlier. Sharla Pitzen, a foundation board member, said the second phase of the Courtney’s SandCastle project is also looking to open in June of next year.
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