Church plans one step of move

LUTZ -- Idlewild Baptist Church, which is mapping long-range plans to move to Van Dyke Road from Bearss Avenue, plans a small piece of that transfer for Saturday.

The church was completing backstops and four baseball diamonds this week so a recreation program could move onto the property. Opening day ceremonies for Idlewild's men's softball league and children's baseball and softball programs are planned for Saturday morning.

"We were renting facilities, and we had that land," said Ken Smith, Idlewild's minister through administration. "It was just great exposure for our new church facilities."

Idlewild, with about 7,500 members, owns 144 acres on Van Dyke Road, a half-mile east of N Dale Mabry Highway. It is planning to build a 5,400-seat sanctuary, with four educational wings coming in phases, plus an island chapel off Lake Reinheimer, an administration building, a fellowship hall and sports facilities.

Idlewild's mushrooming recreation programs originally convinced the growing church that it needed more land than its current 43-acre campus on Bearss Avenue could provide. Plans for the new church call for eight ball fields, three basketball courts, a gymnasium and 18 tennis courts.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright