New television sets, gaming consoles, furniture, movies and games probably won't derail the plans to save Carver Gym and transform it into the George Washington Carver Community Center, but the notion of spending $12,000 on these things ruffled the feathers of two Flagler County commissioners.
Commissioner Barbara Revels presented the proposal to the rest of the commission at its Monday workshop that she and the group she created last August to explore the public and private partnership required to operate and maintain the facility in Bunnell.
Fellow Commissioner Milissa Holland and Commission Chairman Alan Peterson balked about spending money they saw as extras, but ultimately said they would support the proposal at the next regularly scheduled board meeting at 5 p.m. Monday.
Holland said televisions and gaming systems shouldn't even be considered, given the tough economic times.
"I agree with Milissa," Peterson said, "but I can support this for a one-time startup."
The proposal calls for an agreement that will be similar to the one the county and the school district have for the Youth Center at Flagler Palm Coast High School, except the County Commission will assume the responsibility for the facility's operational and capital costs. The School board will manage the staff and programming.
"I think this is trying to start things off on the right foot," county Administrator Craig Coffey said. "The School District wants to have the same standard as the Youth Center."
The $12,000 will buy half the equipment currently in use at the Youth Center, but it will serve children as young as 6 years old.
Revels said the Carver Center needs to provide more, not less.
"The Youth Center sees only high school students," she said. "We need to have more programs. This is bare basic startup." Commissioner George Hanns said money spent on technology would be well-spent.
"I think it's imperative that we provide technology to these children," he said. "The children will benefit tremendously."
One of the two county employees working at the Carver Gym will be laid off, while the other will be hired by the school district, Coffey said, which will mean the county will no longer have employees "in active recreation."
Revels said organizations using the facility for their programs will bring their own staffs.
"There will be more of an adult presence," she said.
Revels and Coffey also are expected to present the proposal to the School Board during its workshop at 5 p.m. today in the Chambers of the Government Services Building.
Revels hopes the Carver Center will become "the" project of the entire community.
While not directly related, she asked fellow commissioners to allow county staff to engineer and design sports fields on the property adjacent to the Carver Gym that is owned by the Housing Authority.
"It is the beginning of a recreation of an entire neighborhood," she said. "You have to have a little vision and a little faith."
