PHOTOSFROMTHEAIR.COM | SUN
The Anna Maria Island Community Center’s new
building was completed in 2007 at a cost of $4.5 million.
ANNA MARIA – The Island Community Center board of directors has called an emergency meeting of the community on Wednesday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. to help Save the Center.
“It’s a crisis situation that could result in the loss of the Community Center for the community,” Executive Director Dawn Stiles stressed. “We are reaching out to the community to say we need to come together.
“If people want a Community Center, they need to step up and say we really want this and it’s a positive force for the community.”
Stiles said board members and staff would be present at the meeting to respond to questions. Rev. Ed Moss, of Cross Pointe Fellowship, will moderate.
Manatee County Commissioner John Chappie vowed his support and said, “I’ll do anything I can as a county commissioner and a long time Island resident to help. It has been such a major part of the Island for kids and adults. It’s the fiber that binds us all.”
Restaurateur Ed Chiles, a long time Center supporter, called it “a rough patch in the road” and said community leaders have held several meetings to try and find a solution.
“We’re trying to bring together those who have supported the Center in the past and those with the ability to support it in the future to insure that one of the most important institutions in our community thrives and has a bright future.”
Rex Hagen, who funded the Center’s tennis courts, asked, “This Island is so important to the county and the Community Center is so important to the Island, so why in the world doesn’t the county give us more money to support the Center?”
David Zaccagnino, Holmes Beach’s commission liaison to the Center, said, “Right now we need to rally around the Community Center so they can get through the summer and then regroup and really look at their business plan to be more effective in the future.”
Nancy Yetter, Anna Maria’s commission liaison to the Center said, “I believe that the financial problems can be attributed to several factors; however, one stands out. The Community Center is another victim of the increase in tourism and investors on the Island.
“The TDC, Chamber of Commerce, builders and other businesses are trying to change the residential nature of the Island to that of a tourist destination hotspot.
“Because of this, we are losing the very people who supported the Center in the past with their donations. We need people who live here full time and who will donate time and money to make sure the Center thrives.”
Wednesday’s meeting will be at the Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.