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Boys & Girls Club Project Moves Forward In Riverview

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2007

Updated: 10/15/2007 10:22 pm

RIVERVIEW - The proposed Riverview Boys & Girls Club is well on its way to achieving its fundraising goal of $1.5 million.

'If everything clicks, we'll be open by fall 2009,' said Roy Opfer, president of the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, at an Oct. 10 meeting at Resurrection Catholic Church, 6819 Krycul Ave.

The organizers are more than two-thirds of the way to the goal, having raised $1.08 million.

The initial capital, raised through gifts and pledges, will allow hiring of an architect and civil engineer, and make certain the club can be built as planned on the grounds of Resurrection Catholic.

'The focus for the committee right now is to raise enough funds to ensure that this project can be completed,' Opfer said.

A majority of the money raised so far came from late philanthropist Ray Campo, who provided a challenge gift of $750,000 to be matched by the Riverview community.

As a result of his donation, the facility will be named the Ray and Josie Campo Family Boys & Girls Club.

The committee hopes to raise $2 million.

Earl Lennard, the committee's chairman and former superintendent of the Hillsborough County School District, said the group has pursued large donors first in the campaign, which began about six months ago. The committee plans to organize smaller-scale events to raise money.

One of those is a Riverview High School Battle of the Bands, scheduled for Dec. 8. In addition to the Riverview Boys & Girls Club, the event will benefit Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, as well as the Riverview High School boosters.

The plans for the project involve constructing a 13,000-square-foot building with an outdoor fenced area of 7,500 square feet, which will require 52 parking spaces. The committee hopes to be able to use existing parking at Resurrection Catholic Church.

The Riverview club will closely resemble Brandon's Bill Carey Boys & Girls Club, which has a waiting list in the hundreds. Those children would be able to attend the new facility in Riverview.

There are naming rights available to those interested in contributing. For information, call (813) 769-7523.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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