OKEECHOBEE – Plans to turn Okee-Tantie into a world class fishing resort are moving slowly, but Okeechobee County Commissioners are confident that Big Cedar Lodge, the resort arm of Bass Pro, is committed to the project.
At the June 8 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission, County Attorney Wade Vose said numerous Bass Pro consultants have been working on the project.
“The activity in regard to their due diligence has increased substantially,” he explained. “They have been spending a lot of money – well into the strong six figures very recently.”
Vose said he has been working with the real estate acquisition office of Big Cedar and they mutually agreed to extend the deadline for the option to purchase the real estate to Nov. 1, 2023. The previous deadline was June 13, 2023.
Vose said the extension will give Big Cedar the time needed to complete due diligence and for the county to clear up issues that have recently come up.
“It’s not just on their side,” said Commission Chair David Hazellief. “We need some time to clear up some issues we are working very diligently to take care of.”
Vose said Bass Pro officials have repeated their commitment to the project.
“It was very encouraging to me to hear them say they are very committed to making this project happen,” he added.
“This has been a long time coming – four, five years since we sat down and signed a contract in the county commissioner’s office,” said Commissioner Brad Goodbread. “We’re in the home stretch.
“A lot of people in our county have maybe lost hope or faith that this will happen. It’s not a done deal, the ink’s not dried, but it’s a positive step to this puzzle that we’ve been putting together for a number of years.”
Commissioner Terry Burroughs said about a month and a half ago he had the opportunity to sit down with Bass Pro owner Johnny Morris. “He said he is really focused on getting this project completed,” said Burroughs.
