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Donated Building Becoming A Center Of Activity

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By GEOFF FOX

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 7, 2008

TRILBY - About the only sounds you'll hear at the doublewide off Old Trilby Road are the buzzing of a circular saw and the pounding of nails.

Members of the Greater Trilby Community Association hope summer will bring the happy noise of children playing sports in the surrounding field, while other kids play table tennis, foosball and other games inside.

In rural, recreation-starved Trilby, the donated building, the new Greater Trilby Activities Center, and the 3 acres it occupies could become a community landmark.

"We've got room for tennis courts, half a basketball court and a soccer field in the back," said Herb Green, president of the nonprofit association. "We want to put in shuffleboard and badminton, too."

Remodeling work on the three-bedroom, two-bathroom doublewide was done courtesy of local farmer and contractor Wilton Simpson.

Work on the recreation center began about two weeks ago, not long after the Trilby group learned it had received a $2,540 grant for a summer youth program from the Community Foundation of Pasco County, a division of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

Simpson said he helped the Trilby association because of improvements it has made in the area, such as establishing a security patrol and various children's programs.

"We're adding some area on the front porch and a couple of doors and things of that nature," he said. "I'm happy to help them. Their safety program has had a good impact, and with the kids programs they'll have this summer, I think it will be a really big addition to the community."

The outside work, done mostly by Simpson's employees, Buddy Batten and Lowell Hapner, should be done this week. The doublewide and a nearby shed were painted green with yellow trim by students from Saint Leo University.

Plans also call for a picnic area and a small stage near a pavilion.

"It'll be a good place for small Christian concerts," said Denny Mihalinec, vice president of the Trilby association. "Nothing big and crazy, though."

The Trilby group is seeking volunteers to help with the renovations and manage the center, as well as donations. The names of those who donate $500 or more will go on a plaque at the center.

Among other things, Green said the doublewide needs new carpet, rugs, an air-conditioning unit and television.

"We're just taking it one step at a time," he said.

HOW TO HELP

If you would like to donate money, labor or materials toward the Greater Trilby Activities Center, call Herb Green at (352) 206-0444.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

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