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Hundreds sign up as rec center members
By MAUREEN BYRNE
© St. Petersburg Times, SEMINOLE -- Hundreds of people have flocked to the city's new recreation complex since it opened nearly two weeks ago, more than doubling its membership. "We've had great response from the community," said Jim Sheets, director of Seminole's Recreation Department. "There has been a constant flow of people coming in." City leaders hoped for such a response. In 1999, after residents voted to spend $6.1-million on renovating and enlarging their recreation center, the city embarked on its most expensive project in its 31-year history. "We're getting some very good feedback on it," said council member Pete Bengston. "I think it is one of the best things we have done as a city." Since the facility opened Oct. 6, the city has added 400 resident memberships to its existing base of 700. However, the 1,100 figure is not a true account of the number of residents who belong to the center because the city gives only one membership per family. About 150 nonresidents have registered at the center since opening day, bumping up the total number of nonresident members to 400, Sheets said. "That's pretty good for just a little more than a week," he said. Unlike residents, who pay nothing to join the center, nonresidents pay $70 per person for an annual pass. Earlier this year, the city increased its fees for nonresidents. Last year's rates were $45 per person and $100 per family for a one-year membership. Now nonresidents pay $70 per person, and the family rate has been discontinued. The increase in fees didn't keep Joanne Browne from registering her daughter at the center. "Obviously, it looks like it's worth it," said Mrs. Browne, who lives in Redington Shores. Before its transformation, the dark and dingy building had few amenities. Today, the bright and airy facility houses a gymnasium, racquetball courts, a game room, a weight room, three meeting rooms, an arts and crafts studio, a music room and an auditorium with stage lighting and a sound system. A decade ago, the city purchased a former church and school at 9100 113th St. N to use as a recreation center. It was a controversial move that lost some council members their seats. In 1999, voters approved a referendum for the multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion project. To pay for it, the city sold bonds guaranteed by the Penny for Pinellas 1 cent sales tax. "Their foresight was definitely right," Sheets said of the city's earlier leaders. "The community is supporting it wonderfully." Bengston wasn't on the council when the city purchased the land or scheduled the referendum. But he did serve on a recreation advisory committee before his appointment to office last year. He was elected to his seat in March. Bengston gives credit for the new complex to Holland Mangum, who served as mayor when the city purchased the recreation property. "If he hadn't done what he did, we wouldn't have that building today in the condition that it is."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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