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The group is negotiating for a building and a dozen acres off U.S. 19 in Homosassa.
By JIM ROSS
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 11, 2001
HOMOSASSA -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Citrus County has outgrown its quarters at Homosassa Elementary School, and upcoming renovations soon will render the space unusable, anyway.
That's why officials are so excited about the news: The group is negotiating to buy a building and 12 acres off U.S. 19 in Homosassa.
"We're very much looking forward to having a facility of our own and more space," said Pennie L. Anderson, the group's executive director since January.
Each day, more than 450 youngsters ages 6 to 18 attend the club sites in Crystal River, Homosassa and Inverness. After-school programs soon will yield to summer camp, which also attracts big crowds.
The new Homosassa building, which would provide 5,000 to 6,000 square feet of space, wouldn't be ready to occupy by summer even if all goes well, Anderson said. She's not sure where Homosassa students will have summer camp, although it's possible they might head to the Crystal River site, 405 SE Seventh Ave.
If the Homosassa building is purchased, it would be big enough to accommodate after-school and summer activities for Homosassa and Crystal River students.
That would free group leaders to perhaps convert the Crystal River building into a teen center, Anderson said. She said that is just one possibility the club and its governing board are considering.
Each site has one paid site director on duty at all times, as well as some part-time paid workers and volunteers.
There is an annual membership fee of $10 per child. For after-school programs, the fee is $10 per week per child; for summer camp, the fee is $40 per week per child.
Those fees make up only part of the group's operating fund. Other money comes from grants, community groups, residents, the United Way and fundraisers.
In related news:
The Boys & Girls Clubs is raffling a Chrysler PT Cruiser. Tickets are $50 and only 1,300 will be sold. Tickets are available at all Sun Trust locations, the local chambers of commerce and at the club sites.
The drawing will be June 16.
The club's first celebrity dinner and golf tournament is scheduled for Aug. 30 and 31. Dinner will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at a to-be-announced place. Tickets are $30 or $50 for a couple. Golf will be the next day at World Woods. The entry fee is $300, which includes a dinner ticket.
Jim "Mudcat" Grant, a retired Major League Baseball pitcher and Pasco County native, will be the host celebrity. He and Anderson are friends. Other baseball greats and celebrities will participate as well, Anderson said.
For information about any Boys & Girls Clubs activities, call 621-9225.