JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Simon Johnson Community Center in Northwest Jacksonville has been the center of much debate, pitting former Jaguars player Tony Boselli against Councilwoman E. Denise Lee in an ever-escalating battle.

The two are at odds over a once-dilapidated recreation center that the Boselli Foundation chipped in money to renovate and reopen.

The foundation planned to also run the center, but at Tuesday night's City Council meeting, backers of Lee spoke to the council and complained that they were left out of the renovation process and asked the council not to give the Boselli Foundation a lease to the recreation center.

"We were not a part of the process in giving Tony Boselli the use of that park. The community should have been a part of that. The previous administration, our city councilwoman did not call us, did not send fliers to us, did not invite us to anything pertaining to our park," said Lucrecia McBride.

Boselli took some offense.

"The students, the teachers and the volunteers -- we came and fixed the broken park benches. Nobody in the community did. We came and fixed broken windows. We come pick up trash in that park. Everyone's so concerned now, but where were they when it was closed?" Boselli said at the council meeting.

It was clear Boselli was very frustrated. He said the agreement went into place 18 month ago, and that he went to rebuild the community center and had lease agreement worked out with the city.

Lee said she was frustrated because leaders in the community were not consulted enough before that lease decision was made.

What started as a small, civil dispute exploded inside council chambers and it didn’t take long for the controversy to boil over.

"Before I get started, I'd like to address just one thing. Whoever passed out the slanderous flier -- I believe it was Councilman Lee -- about me, please spell my name right," Boselli said as he approached the podium at the council meeting.

"Point of order, Mr. President. Point of order -- by the rules of the council no member speaking should make slanderous remarks toward any council member," Lee responded.

The heated debate continued outside council chambers as the arguments spilled out of council chambers and into the hall after Tuesday's meeting.

Lee said she was glad Boselli's foundation and local builders rebuilt the center but said she was upset about Boselli's lease agreement with the city.

"No matter what community we're in, the people do have the right to be involved in it," Lee said.

"I'm shocked that this is this big of an issue of doing the right thing. The building is open for the community," Boselli said.

On Wednesday, Boselli told Channel 4 he was undeterred by the disagreement between him and Lee and unveiled similar plans to renovate another recreation center.

"What frustrates me is when people do not tell the truth and try to manipulate or bend the facts for their own agenda to stop something good that's happening," Boselli told Channel 4 outside the Talleyrand community that his foundation wants to renovate next.

That center is Councilman Dr. Johnny Gaffney's district.

When asked about the dispute between Boselli and Lee, Gaffney was careful with his words.

"It's very disturbing. I don't like to see any controversy," Gaffney said.

"It's exciting. Why wouldn't you? I mean I'm not going to be discouraged because of the last couple of weeks and especially last night. I guess it's just part of the deal," Boselli said.

Boselli said allegations that he wants to change the name of Simon Johnson Community Center to reflect his name are not true.

City Council will meet again Dec. 27 to hear more about the lease agreement and possibly determine a solution.