FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  John Yarbrough, Lee County Parks & Recreation
               (239) 461-7410

ALVA COMMUNITY CENTER TO HOLD RENOVATIONS RIBBON CUTTING SUNDAY (OCTOBER 3)

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 30, 2004) - Lee County will hold a ceremony Sunday (Oct. 3) to celebrate the completion of a $575,000 major renovation to the Alva Community Center at Alva Community Park.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at noon at the center, 21471 North River Road in Alva. There will be refreshments, games and activities for children.

Commission Chairman John Albion will serve as master of ceremonies. See background of the project below:

GRAND RE-OPENING OF ALVA COMMUNITY CENTER

80,000 guests used the park and center in 2003. The facilities were "busting at the seams." The Lee County Board of County Commissioners knew something had to be done to meet the expanding recreational needs of the citizens of Alva. The Board, working with the Alva Fire Department and after seeking the input from community leaders, agreed to spend $575,500 for a major renovation of the community center.

Many changes have been made………the new additions include the restrooms being brought up to code to meet current laws, new hip roof, impact windows and doors, air conditioning system, security system & fire alarm, fire separation between the fire station and community center, handicap ramp onto the stage, improved accessibility to the entrances, new paint and landscaping. Additionally, a six-station computer room for the children and 17 new parking spaces were added. Finally, the septic system was renovated.

The community park and center are here to serve the citizens of Alva and surrounding communities. A wide variety of programs are currently offered and more are planned. The Alva Little League operates a spring baseball season in the park with registration in December. The Community Tennis Association offers programs from toddlers to adults. The center staff, in conjunction with the Alva Elementary School teachers, host a Spring Fling each year complete with various rides, games and food for the children.

The Lee County Parks and Recreation staff looks forward to serving the community and welcomes all suggestions on how they can better serve the guests of Alva Community Park.