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Compton Park to expand social space

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: October 21, 2009

TAMPA PALMS - Faced with accommodating scores of weddings and social events year-round, the Compton Park clubhouse is in need of relief.

A feature at the park since the 1980s, the clubhouse serves many of the community's 10,000 residents and more than 3,000 households in need of meeting, party or recreation space.

Plans are being proposed to build a new multipurpose complex adjacent to the existing hall to help shoulder the load.

No construction date has been scheduled, but Tampa Palms Owners Association officials are hopeful the project will be completed by the end of 2010.

Preliminary plans include conceptual drawings of a semi-attached structure connected to the existing clubhouse by a covered walkway. The building would be built on a spot where a sand volleyball court and small play area are located.

Guests would enter the new building from the existing clubhouse for security reasons and to limit the need to hire additional check-in staff.

The existing clubhouse would remain open to serve residents of Tampa Palms Areas 1 and 2 during the construction of the new building.

"We are not going to extend the building, because we don't want to close it" during construction, said Bill Edwards, president of the Tampa Palms Owners Association, referring to the recreation center at 16101 Compton Drive.

Plans call for building a large room with retractable walls to create as many as three separate soundproof partitioned spaces at a time.

The complex will include restrooms and a kitchen designed for catered events with easy access to all three spaces, if they are being used.

A patio will be built between the buildings to provide overflow for parties and use for daily activities such as picnics.

Edwards said the added space will increase the use of Compton Park as a community destination for more wedding receptions, club activities, sporting events and parties.

The clubhouse and proposed multipurpose center would be for the exclusive use of residents of Tampa Palms Areas 1 and 2.

Auxiliary space has been needed for some time to ease the use of the single meeting and activity room at the clubhouse, said Maggie Wilson, a TPOA board member and consultant to the Tampa Palms Community Development District.

The objective is to maximize the use of the clubhouse and create a second flexible meeting space without overextending the cost to operate both facilities, she said.

"We want to limit the need to double staff" for the clubhouse and the additional space, Wilson said. "That was an important issue."

With the project still in its infancy, the next step will be develop a more complete plan defining square footage needs and estimate costs, she said.

TPOA members will review plans and information about the auxiliary clubhouse at the association's annual meeting in January.

When the second clubhouse is built, the existing building will be renovated.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 259-7413.

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