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⭐Ocean Center Upgrades, VC Needs Meals Hosts, Daytona To Vote On Toilet To Tap

Issue #868

21 Mar

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Phtoto: Ocean Center - Google Busiiness Profile

It's Saturday, so let's start with something genuinely exciting. The Volusia County Council voted 6-0 on Tuesday to approve $4.8 million in improvements to the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach — the majority of it coming from ECHO funds, with an $800,000 match from the venue itself. If you haven't been to a concert there in a while, that's kind of the point. The Ocean Center hasn't been a major concert destination since a $76 million expansion in 2009 shifted its focus toward conventions and trade shows. Now, the county wants it back.

The upgrades are substantial: new acoustic panels, a curtain system, supplemental steel truss for the rigging grid, structural safety improvements, greenroom remodels, and a conversion of the mezzanine into VIP and suite accommodations. General Manager Lynn Flanders, who came aboard in 2023, put it plainly: "We'll be best of class in our size in Florida." The rigging project — the piece that will most directly determine which touring acts can perform there — is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

"It irked me that I had to take my wife and children to St. Augustine or Orlando to go see any type of concert when we have such a beautiful venue here." — Councilman Troy Kent

For context, the Ocean Center opened in 1985 with John Denver and went on to host AC/DC, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, KISS, Bob Dylan, Cher, and the Beach Boys, among others. Last year it recorded a $126 million economic impact. Recent programming has included Lynyrd Skynyrd and Diplo at the Full Throttle Festival, and on May 6 the venue hosts Blood 4 Blood, a heavy metal showcase featuring Black Label Society, Crowbar, Malevolence, and Slaughter To Prevail. The remaining ECHO funds approved Tuesday will also go toward preserving the 1913 Wilbur Boathouse ($65,000), Phase II improvements to the Volusia County Fairgrounds ($1.5 million), and a new ADA-compliant playground at Sun Splash Park in Daytona Beach ($500,000).

On a quieter but equally important note: Volusia County's Community Assistance Division is looking for churches, nonprofits, and social service organizations willing to host free meals for kids this summer. The federally funded Summer BreakSpot program runs ten weeks — June 1 through August 7 — and provides free breakfast and lunch to all children 18 and under in areas where at least half of kids qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. More than 60 sites participated last year. Approved hosts receive meals ready to serve, and all staff and volunteer training is provided at no cost. The application deadline is April 24. If your organization has space and a willingness to show up for kids when school's out, contact Patricia Hubbard at [email protected] or 386-736-5955, ext. 12957.

And now, the story that's going to make some of you put down your coffee: Daytona Beach voters will have a question on the November 3 ballot asking whether treated wastewater should be banned from the city's potable water supply or from being injected into the aquifer. City commissioners voted unanimously on March 18 to put the measure to voters, after residents showed up to make their feelings known with considerable conviction.

Here is the important context: the city is not currently planning to use recycled wastewater for drinking water, and potable reuse is not on its 20-year horizon. But starting in January 2032, a 2021 state law will prohibit the city from discharging excess reclaimed water into the Halifax River — meaning Daytona has six years to figure out what to do with 8 million gallons of treated wastewater every day. Three of the options under study involve underground injection, which a successful ballot measure would prohibit. City officials have noted, carefully, that eliminating those options could require significant rate increases for customers. Something to keep in mind when you step into the voting booth.

"It feels like we have to keep building to the point we have to drink our own sewage water." — Daytona Beach resident Rich Yost, at the commission meeting

For what it's worth, the water in question — treated at advanced wastewater treatment facilities that have met state standards since the late 1990s — is the same processed water many communities across the country and around the world already use in various ways. Science and sentiment don't always agree on this one, and Daytona voters will get to weigh in for themselves in November. The Volusia County Council took a similar measure up in February and voted it down 4-3, so the county and city are heading in different directions on the question — for now.

Sources
"Volusia County to use $4M in ECHO dollars to prepare Ocean Center for concerts" — Ormond Observer, March 20, 2026
"Volusia County seeks host sites for free summer meal program" — Volusia County, March 2026
"Voters to decide if treated wastewater makes it into Daytona taps" — Daytona News-Journal, March 2026

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When it comes to painting in the Ormond Beach area, experience matters—and few local companies can match the depth of knowledge behind Lewis & Lewis Painting.

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📅 Saturday, March 21, 2026

🎨 Arts & Family Fun

  • Family Fun Day in the OMAM Play Place

    • As part of their "Membership Appreciation Week," the Ormond Memorial Art Museum is hosting a full day of family-friendly activities in their dedicated children's play area.

    • Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum (78 E Granada Blvd)

  • Blooming Buddies Youth Workshop

    • A fantastic morning activity for kids ages 5-12! Students will take a guided tour of the OMAM gardens and then create their own garden-inspired art. The workshop even includes a pizza and fresh veggie snack.

    • Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

    • Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum (78 E Granada Blvd)

    • Cost: $20 for OMAM members / $25 for non-members

🏍️ Social & Leisure

  • Ink, Bikes, & Local Vibes Open House

    • Head up to Destination Daytona for a completely laid-back Saturday afternoon. Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson is bringing in local vendors and live flash tattoo artists. Walk the lot, check out the bikes, grab some ink, and enjoy the local atmosphere without the massive Bike Week crowds.

    • Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

    • Location: Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson (1637 N US-1)

🏓 Major Sports Event

  • Pictona Challenge 2026 (Day 3)

    • It is the biggest and busiest day of this massive 4-day pickleball tournament! Today's schedule features the highly competitive Under-60 Mixed Doubles, as well as the Over-60 Men's and Women's Singles brackets. Expect a packed house, plenty of action to spectate, and a bustling "Exhibitor's Row" vendor village.

    • Time: Matches begin at 8:00 AM and run all day

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

Sunday, March 22, 2026

🎭 Live Entertainment

  • Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone

    • Back by overwhelming popular demand! The iconic British pop star returns to the Ormond Beach PAC for an unforgettable afternoon of 1960s nostalgia. Expect a hit-packed set featuring classics like "I'm Into Something Good," "There's a Kind of Hush," and "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter."

    • Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (399 N. US-1)

    • Tickets: Starting at $49

🌺 Leisure & Culture

  • Sunday Stroll at OMAM Gardens

    • Enjoy a completely free, peaceful Sunday afternoon walk through the lush, tropical gardens at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum. The gardens are shaded, quiet, and feature beautiful water elements and hidden sculptures.

    • Time: Open all day from sunrise to sunset

    • Location: 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

🥦 Fresh & Local

  • Holly Hill Riverside Market

    • Enjoy a beautiful Sunday morning at the weekly Riverside Market! Browse through local vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, and more. It is a fantastic, relaxed community gathering to kick off your Sunday.

    • Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

    • Location: Holly Hill (Riverside area)

🏓 Major Sports Event: Tournament Finale

  • Pictona Challenge 2026 (Final Day)

    • Today is Championship Sunday! The massive 4-day pickleball tournament wraps up with the highly competitive Men's and Women's Under-60 Doubles brackets. Head over to spectate the finals, browse the vendor village on "Exhibitor's Row" one last time, and grab lunch at The Kitchen.

    • Time: Matches begin at 8:00 AM and run through the afternoon

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

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