CRA money to help community center break even

After years of debate on whether Avon Park's Community Center was worth keeping, the city may finally be breaking even.

A children's program partially funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency will bring in $12,000 in rental income to the center.

In November, Krista Flores, of Children Services Foundation of Highlands County, informed the city council of an art initiative for kids called Children's Academy of Theatre Inc.

The program exposes children to art and music. To get the program going, Flores needed assistance in paying $1,965 in rental fees, per show, for the city's Community Center.

The CRA approved paying $1,500 per show for eight shows, totally $12,000 for the year.

"Yes, so far it is looking better - the CAT Children's Academy Theatre Inc. bookings have provided some extra income, especially by using the upstairs area during the week, which doesn't get booked as much usually," said Cheryl Tietjen, city clerk, in an e-mail.

Aside from helping Flores' mission of exposing children to art, the CRA money also helps offset the maintenance cost of the center, which averages about $2,500 a month.

Last fiscal year, 2008 to 2009, the city lost $14,526 on the community center. Their expenditures for the center totaled $31,932. The center made $17,406 in rental income.

This fiscal year, between October and December 2009, the center lost $3,382.

They are currently planning another contract with the academy for February, and so far have 19 scheduled events.

"It's hard to predict what schedule we are going to have, but based on previous years, it does look like it would help a great deal," Tietjen said.