Manatee commission OKs deal for youth program in Rubonia

MANATEE -- Rubonia Community Center will reopen this summer.

The Rubonia Community Association will run a Summer Youth Program at the center, 1309 72nd St. E., which has been closed since 2013. The summer program will run from June 20 to July 29.

The Manatee County Commission unanimously approved a $22,304 funding agreement Tuesday with Rubonia Community Association for the summer program. The commission also approved $75,000 for facility and grounds renovations.

"I am really excited and I am grateful for this moment," Rubonia Community Association Chairwoman Mary Brown said. "I'm very grateful and hopeful that we will continue to do what it is that we have to do."

After New Path Academy, which submitted the sole proposal to Manatee County to acquire and operate the center, dropped its plans last month, the Rubonia Community Association contacted the county about doing something, said Cheri Coryea, county neighborhood servic

es director.

Derrick Randall, who grew up in Rubonia, called the action "a blessing."

"We've been trying to do things in the community to get revitalization going," he said. "Today we have progression."

Commission Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh added, "Let's keep it going. We are just getting started."

Commissioners also highlighted discussions during their recent trip to Washington, D.C., about other possible assistance for Rubonia.

"Rubonia is on the national map," Commissioner Charles Smith said. "They are more than willing to work with us."

Significant funding is available if a community organization is in the lead, Commissioner Betsy Benac said.

"I think this is the first step to get the community open to get the program open," Benac said. "I have no doubt that working together we can make significant progress for the residents of the community."

Commissioner Larry Bustle said they really look forward to a great summer program.

"It was a pause getting ready for the jump," Bustle said of New Path Academy's decision. "This is what this is going to be."

As of now, the center will cease operation at the conclusion of the summer program July 29. The Rubonia Community Association said it hopes to operate the center past the summer.

"This is where the work starts," said Morris Goff, with Rubonia Community Association. "So far we've been talking, yakking, saying what we can do. Now we got to prove it. We got to put our foot down to show the county commission that we can do it and we can take care of our own."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 11:35 PM with the headline "Manatee commission OKs deal for youth program in Rubonia ."