Other alternatives to Lakeland are Winter Haven, Bartow, Plant
City and Lake Wales, all pretty close. 5-15 miles. (ok, Lake Wales
is 21.9, just looked it up on Airnav)

There are quite a few others around the area too. Around
Tampa you have Peter O'Knight, Vandenburg, around Orlando
you have Orlando Exec, Kissimmee, Sanford, (ignoring Tampa
and Orlando Internationals, though Tampa and the Raytheon
FBO there are very friendly).

Coming in from the north you have DeLand and Leesburg
or even Ocala (all a bit far out). Carry on a bit to the south
and you have Sebring, Wauchula, Arcadia and Avon Park.

You're spoilt for choice round that area. I haven't listed
the small strips or airparks either.

Lake Wales also has jumpers.

Paul