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Renovations Planned For Recreation Center

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2007

TEMPLE TERRACE - In a scenario familiar to most of its users, a popular spot for seniors is beginning to show its age.

Dedicated in 1965, the Omar K. Lightfoot Recreation Center, 10901 N. 56th St., was built on 3.7 acres donated by Omar K. Lightfoot. Before being taken over by the city's parks and recreation department, the facility was operated by the county.

In the city's view, the center is in dire need of a makeover, one the city council approved Nov. 20.

The center's façade will take on a new face as the rear of the building is transformed into the main entrance, with a covered drive-through entrance meant to shield guests from the rain. The southwest corner of the entry will feature a trellis, and the adjacent paved parking lot with 28 spaces will be more than doubled.

The front of the building along 56th Street will become a secondary entrance and be given the same Mediterranean-style facelift as the rest of the facility, with Spanish tiles on the roof. There will be paved parking for 23 cars at that entry and landscaping added along the stretch of the building that faces Whiteway Drive.

Renovations also include dividing the inside of the open-spaced, 11,900-square-foot building into separate rooms for dining, special events, arts and crafts, reading and computer use and a pool table. A new lobby, brighter lighting and additional bathrooms are planned.

"It's long overdue," said James Chambers, the city's parks and recreation director. "It's going to be a project that's extremely beneficial not only to the seniors, but for all those in the community who use it."

Bidding on the project is expected to begin immediately and, according to Chambers, the building's refurbishing should get under way in April.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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