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Citing low sales, food management firm Spectra asked for its release from a contract with the Cleveland Heights Country Club restaurant in Lakeland. About a year remains on the two-year agreement and officials with the city of Lakeland, which owns the club, hope to have a new operator by the end of September.

On a larger scale, the situation is another example of the challenges some cities face in owning golf courses and connected businesses. Officials in Sarasota are also currently struggling to find a long-term strategy for the course it owns, Bobby Jones Golf Course.

As required, Lakeland advertised for proposals to replace Spectra, formerly Ovation Food Services. Only two interested parties attended the mandatory meeting held several weeks ago. On Aug. 12 city officials reviewed the one proposal they received and returned it to the bidder with questions.