TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

LP Council To Pursue Community Center Grant

ADVERTISEMENT

By BILL ROGERS

Highlands Today

Published: September 10, 2008

LAKE PLACID - The committee that was formed to raise money to build a community center in Lake Placid is hopeful the town will receive a $4 million federal grant for construction of a 20,000-square-foot building.

But if the grant doesn't come through, there is a backup plan. Part of the plan involves applying for a $650,000 grant from the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

The Lake Placid Town Council voted Monday night to approve the application for a community development block grant.
Lake Placid is pledging $250,000 and Highlands County is expected to put up $400,000 for the building, which will serve as a hurricane shelter. Highlands doesn't have a wind-compliant shelter in the southern part of the county. Block grant money can only be used for hurricane shelter space, bathrooms, showers, backup generator and similar items.

Combining the block grant money - if the town gets it - with Lake Placid's pledge of $250,000 and the county's $400,000 would bring the total to $1.3 million. The preliminary cost for construction of the building is $3.6 million, according to the committee.

A private benefactor or benefactors would likely have to make up the difference.

Pam Karlson, who is co-chairman of Lake Placid Ridge Community Center Inc., presented a proposed annual budget for the center of $92,500 during the meeting. It includes building maintenance ($35,000) and utilities ($32,500). The remaining $25,000 covers payroll for possibly a part-time director.
Karlson said the committee is expected to learn the status of the federal grant in November.

Councilman Steve Bastardi and Mayor Tom Katsanis wondered about the operational costs and where the money will come from.
Bastardi said he feels "very positive" about the project, but noted the council needs to be fiscally responsible.

"I'm concerned that we will end up with something we can't afford to maintain," he said. "I don't want the taxpayers to end up with a $92,500 bill. I know we can't afford that."
Bastardi would like to see some numbers regarding the amount of revenue the facility could bring in.

Revenue is expected to be generated by renting the facility for weddings, social events and meetings.

Also during the meeting Carol Smart was unanimously approved as the replacement for Bill Brantley on the council. Brantley resigned from the council last month because he has moved outside the town limits.

Smart said on her resume that she has lived in Lake Placid since 1994. She is married and has two stepchildren.

Her professional career has been in the field of accounting in mid-management positions.

Smart, who has served on the Lake Placid Local Planning Agency for six years, retired from full-time work in 2005 and currently is working part time.

Bill Rogers may be reached at 386-5825 or wrogers@highlandstoday.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT