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What's Wanted In A Y?

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By SUSAN M. GREEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

RUSKIN - The South Hillsborough County population boom has caught the attention of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, which operates YMCA facilities in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Cindy Sofarelli, who oversees the organization's Camp Cristina in Riverview and Campo Family YMCA in Valrico, told about a dozen members of the South Shore Rotary Club last week that the area is ripe for a facility.

If YMCA leadership had doubts, they were dispelled this month when about 120 youngsters signed up for youth programs being organized through the YMCA at Big Bend United Methodist Church in Summerfield, Sofarelli said.

The YMCA was responding to a request in December from the church pastor to bring programs to the Big Bend campus, she said. Organizers are starting with a soccer program and plan to add T-ball and flag football.

"We see that there is a need," Sofarelli said.

She said she plans to attend more civic meetings and solicit feedback from homeowner associations about what types of activities a local YMCA should offer and where it should be.

Although YMCA has built a reputation for "swim and gym," Sofarelli said, people who take advantage of its programs "know it's a lot more than a place to come and work out."

Child care, team-building and a variety of sports and arts programs can be available at YMCA branches. Organizers need to know what mix of youth, adult and senior programs to offer, Sofarelli said.

The Tampa-based organization received a gift of $750,000 from the late Ray Campo, a driving force in establishing the Campo YMCA, a full-service branch, and Camp Cristina, which mostly offers summer and after-school programs.

Before he died in October 2006, Campo earmarked his gift for improvements to Camp Cristina.

South Hillsborough probably needs a more centrally located site to serve south Riverview, Gibsonton, Apollo Beach, Wimauma, Ruskin and Sun City Center, she said.

"It's been proven that people will not drive more than 10 to 15 minutes" in most cases to reach a YMCA, she said.

If a separate facility is built, the community will have to raise money for construction and possibly a land purchase. Some YMCA buildings have gone up on donated land.

Generally, the YMCA likes to have at least 10 acres to build on, Sofarelli said.

For information or to comment on the plans, call Sofarelli at (813) 684-1371.

Reporter Susan M. Green can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or sgreen@tampatrib.com.

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