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City Seeks To Bring Back Club Youth Programs

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: April 1, 2009

PLANT CITY - The elimination of Boys and Girls Club activities at one of two local facilities has city commissioners concerned about the resulting void in local youth programs.

Jack Holland, the city's recreation and parks director, was notified by Brad Baumgardner, president of the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay, that the nonprofit organization is ceasing activities at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center.

Eliminating club programs at the 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. site is necessitated by reduced funding and resulting cutbacks in staff, the organization said.

The club will continue to offer programs at the West Plant City Boys and Girls Club, 901 S. Waller St.

Announcement of the cutbacks, made at the March 23 city commission meeting by City Manager David Sollenberger, raised questions from commissioners.

"We've been involved with that process since its inception," City Commissioner Mike Sparkman said of the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Club activities include after-school programs offering not only athletics, but tutoring and homework assistance, computer training, arts and crafts.

Sparkman asked the city staff to monitor the situation "and see what we can do to keep that going."

Mayor Rick Lott said, "I hate to see that program vanish."

Boys and Girls Clubs funding comes from local government, grants, United Way and donations from individuals and businesses. In Plant City, many club members are from impoverished homes, local leaders say.

With summer approaching, the activity programs are especially important, said Commissioner Mary Yvette Thomas Mathis. She, too, urged the city to provide some form of youth activities at the site.

The Martin Luther King Jr. center will host the city's 10-week Summer Youth Program for ages 5-13. The program that starts June 8 costs $275.

The city has staff at the club, and Commissioner Bill Dodson questioned their fate.
Sollenberger conceded he was uncertain, but added that city funding available for such nonprofit organizations is also tight, as the money comes from federal Community Development Block Grants, which have been substantially reduced in recent years.
Sollenberger said he will make inquiries and provide answers as soon as possible, and ask the recreation and parks director do whatever possible to offset the void at the MLK center.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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