Cleveland's 3-year journey finally complete

Cheryl Cleveland kicked through the red tape like she kicks through boards. Aggressive yet persistent until she has accomplished her goal.

"I never thought it was going to happen," Cleveland said, cracking a wide smile.

Cleveland smiles often nowadays, and though she proudly displays her awards for competitive board breaking, it is looking around her Community Fun & Fitness Center in Odessa that makes her so happy.

"I just love being here," Cleveland, 31, said of the 7,000-square-foot complex she opened in May. "I love the people and my instructors, and now that it's finally here, it's like (the center) has always been here. People always compliment me on the place, just tell me how great it is.

"That always makes me smile, too."

Cleveland recently competed in the U.S. Open karate tournament in Orlando for the second consecutive year. In 2009, Cleveland set a record by breaking five boards with a side kick, and she returned in July to break her personal record and tie the new record with six boards.

Although that was a great accomplishment, it was Cleveland's three-year journey to open the center that earns her the most praise. That's because the journey turned into a marathon she never thought she would complete.

It started with the search for a building, which was eventually given to her by the First Baptist Church of Odessa. The church has leased the building to her for 25 years, only asking that Cleveland fix it up.

Cleveland had her work cut out for her, as she had to fix the roof, the air conditioner, the floor - basically repairing it from the ground up. Then, she ended up dealing with unqualified and unlicensed contractors, paying one for the roof only to have to fix it herself.

"That was the most expensive, and I did a lot of it myself," Cleveland said. "Then dealing with the county and making sure they knew what I was doing here, that was another headache and a lot of runaround. I'm just glad that's all done and our doors are open."

Cleveland's doors are open to anyone. All she asks is a $5 donation per class, which include martial arts as well as Spanish, yoga, nutrition and dance. There is also a computer room and a library.

"My goal is not to overwhelm (parents and families) about paying too much or having to come from a well-off family," Cleveland said. "Some places make you sign long contracts, making martial arts unattainable for lower-income families. Everyone should be able to have fun in sports and beneficial activities, even if their parents don't have a lot of money."

Cleveland says she got the idea from a recreation center she went to during her college days in Massachusetts.

Nathan Ley, who helped rebuild the center and has helped Cleveland with her board breaking, sees the giving side of Cleveland.

"She's definitely trying to make a bridge to people for whatever means they have so they can have better lives," Ley said. "Her ultimate goal is to bring the community together and give opportunities to the area. She looks forward to coming each day, and she's always planning (what else to do at the center) when she should be relaxing."

Cleveland's plans include an after-school program starting this fall and more martial arts classes and sports. Ley agrees it was her persistence that got her center open, and he knows that it is because Cleveland is such a great teacher that the center is doing well.

That is more proof that Cleveland will kick through any obstacle.

"She doesn't give up," Ley said. "Not with boards or with students. She can teach others because she can break things down and make it easy to understand. There's no doubt this place will succeed with Cheryl."

For more information on the center, call (813) 842-3202, e-mail info@cfnfc.org or visit www.cfnfc.org.