The Southwest Florida Water Management District has been seeking upgrades at the park and had set a September 23rd vote to close the park, if improvements weren't made or at least in the planning stages.

The improvement plan submitted is about an inch and a half thick and lays out the groundwork for fixing rotting structures, meeting fire codes and hooking into the county's sewer system.

A group of investors, who owned the 56-year-old park and its famed underwater mermaid show, donated it to the city last month after failed attempts to sell it.

After a lengthy debate between mermaids, park supporters and the city on September 23rd, the water authority (Swfitmud) who now owns the park, agreed to extend their lease for at least one more year.

"What we do is just, to me, as important to Florida as Mickey is. We bring the magic of mermaids to life," mermaid performer Barbara Wynns said during the talks.

Weeki Wachee
US Hwy 19
Brooksville, FL
Source: AP News