Detours: a country in search of direction
On the eve of the election, a reporter and photographer set out for Washington, via America. We tell stories from seven towns, touching on seven issues from politics and real life.
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
TAMPA PALMS — City officials will cut the ribbon of the New Tampa Community Park Recreation Center Saturday morning at 9 a.m. -- opening the long awaited facility just in time for the summer.
"Mayor Pam Iorio, Councilman Joseph Caetano and Parks and Recreation Director Karen Palus will all be present to open the center," said Linda Carlo, a parks and recreation spokeswoman.
The 19,568 square foot facility includes a full, multi-level gymnastics area, a multi-purpose room, snack bar and lounge area.
"The multi-purpose room is large enough to be a rental facility and it will also be where we hold dance classes and other programs the community is interested in," Carlo said.
For several months, Heather Erickson, the north are operations manager, said she has been collecting in put from parents and kids about what classes they would like to see available in New Tampa's first city owned and operated recreation center.
"Frankly, I think I've got more input than I have space," Erickson admitted. "But because the demand is so high we're really excited about finally opening this wonderful center."
On Saturday she will give tours of the building from 9 a.m. to noon.
Erickson is especially proud of a quirky building design that includes a playground-style slide from the main area into the classroom.
"I've seen the contractors and construction workers go down that slide and they love it," she said. "I think the big kids can enjoy this place as much as the little ones."
After the ribbon cutting and tours, there will also be a gymnastics demonstration featuring competitors at every level.
"We'll even have Maalika Moore-Thomas here who is the captain of Ohio State University's gymnastics team who came up through the city's gymnastic program from a tot doing a demonstration," Carlo said. "She's a great example of what these centers have to offer."
Robbyn Mitchell can be reached at (813) 269-5313 or rmitchell@sptimes.com.
>>if you go
Summer fun
The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at 17302 Commerce Park Blvd. on Saturday.
Camp registration will be held Monday-Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The center will offer a variety of sports camps, including gymnastics, soccer, softball and football.
For more information about registration, e-mail Heather Erickson at newtampatgd@tampagov.net.
[Last modified: May 08, 2008 04:30 AM]
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