Weeki Wachee could be state park

By next October, the state could be running the Weeki Wachee mermaid show and the water park as a state park.

But Weeki Wachee officials say that they're far from a done deal with the state.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole told the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday that they received notice Monday that Weeki Wachee Springs, LLC plans to donate the springs and water park to the state. The state would turn Weeki Wachee Springs into a state park and would keep the mermaids and their show.

"Absolutely, we'll keep the mermaids; that's part of the historical character of that facility and part of why it actually merits, not just the springs, but the culture and history, becoming a state park," Sole said.

After hearing about the announcement this morning, Weeki Wachee spokesman John Athanason said that no definitive agreement has been drafted to "sign, seal and deliver" the proposal discussed by Sole, which he called a simple letter of intent.

He added that Hernando County commissioners are thinking about taking over the park, as they discussed the topic during a Tuesday morning meeting.

"Sure, we've been talking with the state for the last couple of months," Athanason said. "But it might come to pass that we'll be a better county park than a state park. That way money would stay here in the county. This is not a done deal."

See a photo gallery of the mermaids

Watch video from Weeki Wachee