Gibsonton

Rec center expansion to double kids' space

Construction starts soon on a larger Gardenville Recreation Center that will offer new after-school options and serve a growing need.

It's 2:45 p.m. on a Monday and the sound of the 165 children in the after-school program at the Gardenville Recreation Center on Symmes Road is deafening.

It's about to get louder.

The county broke ground Thursday on a new recreation center that may mean twice as many kids can do their homework and play there after school, said program director David Ramirez. Construction is scheduled to be completed within one year.

The new $1.2-million, 11,000-square-foot building will more than double the space available in the old Gardenville Elementary School that has been operating as a recreation center for the past 40 years, Ramirez said.

It also will enhance program offerings.

Right now, after laboring over homework, students in the program can unwind on the playground or through cheerleading, cross country and other organized activities.

In the future, they'll be able to blow off steam in a fitness center, create in an arts and crafts room, or work in the computer center.

The new building also will house a catering kitchen and large multipurpose room for community events.

Construction funds come in part from Community Development Block Grants, a federal program to help low-income communities.

The current facility, in an old school built in 1926, has been renovated several times, but it has only a small arts and crafts room and playground equipment.

In 2002, nearly 144,000 people used the Gardenville Recreation Center, said John Brill, a spokesman for the county's Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. So far this year, more than 116,000 have used it.

"It's time to do something new and better," Brill said. "The growth right now is heading for south Hillsborough."

- Janet Zink can be reached at 661-2441 or jzink@sptimes.com