Downtown Gainesville’s High Dive announced over the weekend that the music venue would close in May after a 30-day notice by the new property owner.  

Pat Lavery, owner of High Dive since 2014, said the property has been on the market for many years, with different deals falling through.  

“All along the way we have been under the impression that when the property was eventually sold we would receive ample notice with which to properly close out the business and give our community, performers and staff the chance to say their collective goodbyes,” Lavery said in a Facebook post. “Unfortunately, things are coming to an end much sooner than expected.”  

He said conversations failed to prolong the exit date, meaning the final show will be May 18 or 19. Several shows have already been planned after that date, and Lavery said High Dive is working to coordinate with other local venues.  

Lavery said the new owner looks to develop the site, and High Dive will need to move to an existing site or build a new location. But Lavery said this could be the end of the music venue. 

“As Gainesville is changing rapidly around us, it is my sincere hope that those who love it will continue to fight to preserve our rich cultural history, which has made Gainesville such a unique place to call home,” Lavery said. 

The site off SW Second Avenue has been a music venue since the early 1990s, and Lavery said he started working at the then Covered Dish in 1998 putting up flyers. The venue closed and reopened around 2005 as Common Grounds until 2014 when High Dive opened, according to the post.  

High Dive hosted local talents and nationally recognized artists including The Hails, Arrows in Action, Revivalists, Lindsey Stirling and Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance. 

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