Day care center squeezes six weeks from fees

Slated to close, a Girls Inc. facility will last through May, thanks to a deal with the City Council. Meanwhile, a new operator is sought.

By JON WILSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 9, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- A popular day care facility that was to close because it is losing money will now stay open through May, six weeks longer than its expected shutdown.

A compromise reached Thursday between the City Council and Girls Inc., the day care provider, means parents won't have to scramble to find a new place for their pre-school children.

And it gives city officials longer to find an organization to replace Girls Inc., which has been running Play and Learn for 2- to 5-year-olds at the city-operated Walter Fuller recreation center.

Girls Inc. pays the city 30 percent of the fees it collects as rent for the center space. It tried to get a waiver or a reduction of the percentage.

That didn't fly with council members, but they agreed not to charge the 30 percent on a fee increase from $72 to $85 Girls Inc. is now charging. That gives Girls Inc. some leeway to stay open past April 21, when it had expected to close.

"It was a good thing because now we've gotten through that first step so we don't have to close on that date," said Annette Derks, who has a 4-year-old in Play and Learn. "Now we've got time and possibilities," she said.

Meanwhile, Derks and other parents are fundraising to help the day care operation. They are seeking corporate sponsors and hope to raise money at the Green Thumb Festival April 29-30 at Walter Fuller, 7891 26th Ave. N.

The parents want to buy some new equipment and some basics that are needed, Derks said.

"The reason is that we're trying to assist whatever new entity comes in. We'd like to provide and show them we're committed," Derks said.

She praised city officials, in particular City Council member Bob Kersteen, who represents the west St. Petersburg neighborhood where Walter Fuller is situated. "The council members and the city really bent over backward" to help, Derks said.

"I think it's a wonderful compromise," said council member Beatrice Griswold.

-- Staff writer Bryan Gilmer contributed to this report.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.