PARRISH — Nearly 60 residents have written letters supporting a community center in Parrish, and the Parrish Civic Association plans to deliver them to Manatee County commissioners with a request to fund one.
The association wants the center built next to Parrish Community Park, 7550 Fort Hamer Road, on land once earmarked for a park expansion before that funding was withdrawn, association President Jennifer Hamey said.
Parrish, which Hamey said has grown to about 95,000 residents, has few places for people to gather, particularly youth and seniors.
“They built a gazillion houses and now a gazillion apartment complexes and there are no movie theaters and we’re just now getting restaurants,” she said.
A center would give local nonprofits a place to hold meetings and deliver services, Hamey said, along with space for bridal and baby showers, exercise classes, workspace and youth programs.
Parrish had that kind of hub until the YMCA in the downtown closed several years ago, she said. It had offered programs for children, seniors and people with disabilities, and nothing replaced it.
The association is studying community centers in Palmetto, Myakka City and Rubonia for design ideas.
Commissioners are working now on the county budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Hamey said the letters are meant to show the board there is broad interest in a Parrish center before those decisions are final.
Residents who want to add their support can email jenniferhamey@gmail.com or write to the Parrish Civic Association, 7216 U.S. 301 N., Suite 120, Ellenton, FL 34222.