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By HAROLD VALENTINE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

LAKE MAGDALENE - Hillsborough County leaders met in the neighborhood last week to celebrate a new day for the community's children's services campus.
County Administrator Pat Bean and Commissioner Ken Hagan spoke at the inauguration of a new covered pavilion with basketball courts. During the celebration, some of the campus's 85 children shot hoops and played street hockey.

"This is what the heart and soul of Hillsborough County government is all about," Hagan said. "That is providing programs to those who need it most."

The pavilion is part of a first phase in renovations at the 35-acre campus at 3110 Clay Mangum Lane costing $600,000. That also includes new bathrooms, a baseball field, dining hall and three new cottages to add breathing room for the children's living quarters.

For those further renovations, an additional $9.3 million was assigned two years ago through the Community Investment Tax. Thomas Papin, the county's director of children's services, hopes construction for those buildings will begin by early fall.

The red ribbon was cut at the pavilion when Hagan scored a basket, where the ribbon was tied underneath the hoop.

Adding to festivities with beads and a hearty laugh was Trace Crisp, a pirate from the Krewe of Rumrunners.

"We've been coming out here for the last four to five years," Crisp said. "We love it. It's all about having a good time."
Papin said children through Hillsborough's school system, those from churches and from the community also will use the new facilities.

Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.

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