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Forum Set On Rogers Park Youth Golf Program

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By KATHY STEELE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2008

Mayor Pam Iorio could soon get a letter asking her to change the terms of a contract allowing the Metropolitan Tampa Area YMCA to operate a youth golf program at Rogers Park.

The Tampa Sports Authority's board today agreed to schedule a public forum to hear concerns of residents who say the contract will lead to privatization of a historical golf course that was the only one open to blacks during segregation. The earliest date for the forum would be Dec. 1.

Those concerns will come back as recommendations on how the board could choose to clarify or amend the contract before sending it to Iorio.

"Something like this is going in the right direction," said James Ransom, who made a 10-minute presentation to the board today. He is heading up a grass-roots group that opposes the contract – Citizens Who Support Keeping Rogers Park Public.

The group says the community was not consulted two years ago when the contract to operate a YMCA-affiliated program – First Tee of Tampa Bay – was negotiated and approved. The authority's executive director, Henry Saavedra, said a citizens' advisory committee participated in the process.

First Tee teaches golf and lifestyle skills primarily to low-income and at-risk children. YMCA officials say First Tee would give priority to children in surrounding neighborhoods and provide scholarships to children unable to pay YMCA membership fees.

Some authority board members found fault with the contract, saying it wasn't clear on several issues, including who qualifies for discounts at the golf course and who is eligible for the program.

Tampa City Council Chairman Tom Scott said Iorio is the only one with authority to change the contract. But the forum is a good step, he said.

"It doesn't hurt to go the additional step or mile … to make sure we have a good compromise," Scott said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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