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For a growing Gibsonton, a bigger community center is definitely better

By EDDY RAMIREZ
Published April 22, 2005

It is no secret here that the Gardenville Recreation Center is too old and too small for the needs of this growing community.

The 79-year-old building on Symmes Road has a leaky roof, cracked walls and is missing floor tiles. At 5,000 square feet, the center is cramped for the 100-plus children who play there after school.

"The child care is very good," said Dawn Wollweaver, whose 9-year-old son, Zachary, plays sports there. "But the building is too old and run down."

Soon Zachary and several hundred other children will have a new place to play; an 11,000-square-foot recreation center next door is nearly complete.

John Brill, a county parks spokesman, said the new facility could be fully operational by June 1, when a summer camp is scheduled to kick off.

"People have been talking about this for years," Brill said.

The $1.4-million center comes as new housing developments are sprouting up throughout Gibsonton, a traditionally low-income community where residents have long complained about being neglected by the county. The construction of a bigger, better-equipped recreation center has been a focal point in discussions surrounding Gibsonton's community growth plan.

Once it is fully operational, the new Gardenville Community Center will serve at least 300 children, more than twice the number enrolled in the after-school program at the current facility. Children will keep busy in an arts and crafts room, a computer lab and a game room equipped with a Foosball table, six televisions and several PlayStation 2 units.

The facility also will be open to adults who want to use the large multipurpose room for community events. For a fee, they also can access the fitness room. On Election Day, it will serve as a voting precinct.

Dave Ramirez, the center's executive director, could barely contain his enthusiasm recently as he spoke of the community's efforts to make the new center a reality.

Mosaic,formerly known as Cargill Crop Nutrition, the community's largest employer, donated $20,000 for fitness equipment. The Concerned Citizens Group of Gibsonton also pitched in $10,000 for the computer lab.

Ramirez predicted the center "will be the hub of the community."

Last week, crews were applying the final touches before a final inspection by the county.

When the new center opens, the current facility, an old school built in 1926, will close temporarily to undergo renovations. County officials plan to keep the facility available for community use.

James Bunnaway is among those eagerly awaiting the opening of the new center. Bunnaway of Gibsonton said his children, ages, 7, 10 and 11, must travel to Cub Scout meetings in Riverview. He plans to start Gibsonton's first Cub Scout pack at the new center.

"It will be a great thing for Gibsonton," he said. "We can't wait." Eddy Ramirez can be reached at eramirez@sptimes.com or 661-2441.

[Last modified April 21, 2005, 08:33:10]