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Recreation Center Puts Focus On Children

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

RIVERVIEW - Though he has been at his new job for only four months, Teddy Jacobs feels at home at the Providence West Recreation Center.

'Everyone - the community, parents and the staff have all taken me in with open arms,' said Jacobs, a senior recreation specialist. 'I couldn't have asked for a better situation.'

Jacobs worked as a recreation specialist at the Balm Recreation Center for seven years before accepting his new position.

The recreation center, at 5417 Providence Road, Riverview, hosted more than 250 youngsters each day this past summer. The children ranged in age from 2 to 16.

Recently, participants in the park's summer program took 15 field trips, including excursions to The Florida Aquarium and the Lowry Park Zoo.

'It's a great facility, and everyone gets along really well,' said Shelley Mahaffey, one of five staff members along with Jacobs. Like Jacobs, Mahaffey is a recent addition to the staff, having worked there only a few weeks.

With the start of the fall semester, Providence West will welcome 150 to 165 children to its after-school program, which takes place weekdays from 2:15 to 6 p.m.

The center features a football/soccer field and a softball field for outdoor activities, as well as a game room and arts and craft classroom for days when it's too hot to be outside for an extended period of time.

'Those days have been happening a lot lately,' Jacobs said.
Providence West is part of a four-park cluster that works closely together, organizing weekly bowling trips, basketball games or other activities.

At the other end of the age spectrum, the park also offers a Tiny Tots program Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. aimed at children ages 2 to 5.

Kids are not the only ones allowed to play at Providence West.

The center's outdoor fields host several adult flag football and softball league games nightly.

Still, it's the work with the park's youngest visitors that inspires the staff the most.

'Here, it's all about team, and the staff is what makes our programs work,' Jacobs said. 'We work closely together so we can do our best to take care and teach these kids.'
PROVIDENCE WEST RECREATION CENTER

WHERE: 5417 Providence Road, Riverview

PROGRAMS: After-school camp, arts and crafts, computers, game room, preteen and teen activities, Tiny Tots, cheerleading, dance, karate

COURTS/FIELDS: Basketball, softball, playground

INFORMATION: (813) 635-7452

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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