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New Center Becomes Reality After 5 Years

Tribune photo by KATHY STEELE

Mayor Pam Iorio talks with children tapped to help with the ribbon-cutting at the remodeled Woodland Terrace Community Center.

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By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

EAST TAMPA - Among the first requests to land on the desk of newly elected Mayor Pam Iorio nearly five years ago was a plea from community activist Ruth Fleming to expand the activities center at Woodland Terrace Park.

The one-room facility, built in 2002, was just too small for children's programs, community meetings and neighborhood celebrations.

On Monday, Iorio cut the ribbon to a nearly 4,000-square-foot addition at 6410 N. 32nd St. that includes a computer room, games room, weight room, office and a handicap-accessible restroom. Outside there is a covered patio play area, new landscaping and upgraded irrigation.

Sidewalks were installed and new chain-link fencing encircles the park, which has the city's only cricket field where Bay area teams play matches on Sundays. There also are fields for flag football, soccer and softball.

The project cost about $684,000.

"I can't explain all my true feelings," Fleming said. "We will enjoy this building that you have entrusted to our community."

About 30 people attended the opening ceremony, including city council members Gwen Miller and Linda Saul-Sena. "All I can say is, 'Wow,' ... before it was just a little room," Miller said. "When I came to meetings, it was overcrowded. They didn't have anywhere to go."

The city's youth programs were singled out recently when Tampa was named among the nation's most livable cities, Iorio said.

About 100 children are expected to enroll in summer programs at the center.

Though the city anticipates layoffs and a leaner budget, Iorio said, "We're not going to cut back on things that we feel are important to our families and children. Every cut is a painful cut but we are finding other ways that don't affect families, that don't affect neighborhoods."

She noted that although the center is expanding, the parks and recreation department has not added staff.

For nearly nine months of construction, the center remained open by operating from a portable and a portion of the former activities center.

Fleming had one more plea to the city.

"I'm sure they have in the works to put in a trail around the park so we won't have to go to Middleton High School to walk," she said, looking toward Iorio and parks and recreation director Karen Palus.

There is no money allocated for a trail, but Palus said, "We're working on it."

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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