The Times

Coral Gables Youth Center--Is It City's 'White Elephant'?

By MAURICE LABELLE If the City of Coral Gables had its "druthers" - the one thing it probably would like most to undo is the present recreational set up utilizing principally the facilities of the War Memorial Youth Center. The Youth Center, constructed at an estimated cost of more than $500,000, is proving a thorn in the city's side. For more reasons than one. Although widely acclaimed at the time of its construction as a thing of beauty and joy forever, the Center has proved more of a "white elephant" which has produced receding hairlines among more than one city official and commissioner. Principal Problems The problems are many, but the principal ones are these: ■ It's costing the City more than $100,000 a year to operate it. ■ This is many times the anticipated costs of operation, has caused a $80,000 deficit in the budget, and has led the City Commission into adopting some remedial legislation by way of fees that caused quite a ruckus. ■ Proper supervision of children is very difficult, if not impossible, because of compartmentalization. ■ It's costing the City nearly $65,000 in wages alone for its 13 supervisory personnel. ■ Vandalism has been extensive from the first day of operation when children made quick work of fancy furniture and fixtures. ■ There are also critics who point out that all the city recreational eggs have been placed in one basket. Development of other facilities-neighborhood parks, for instance-probably have suffered as a result. Long Journeys These same critics find fault with the theory of having kids travel long distances to their recreation rather than having the recreation come to them. The city, which is making as good use of the facilities as money, manpower and circumstances will permit, is only too cognizant of the problem. But what to do? The Commission tried to go the fee route, but got its knuckles rapped and had to stick out a stub for a lot less than it had anticipated. Brought out by the rhubarb was the fact that Coral Gables is picking up the recreational tab for a lot of non-residents. Past surveys have indicated that between 60 to 75 percent of Youth Center patrons come to the City Beautiful for their fun but pay the Piper in the city halls of surrounding municipalities or to Metro. This is fodder for those who feel that this is one area properly in the domain of Metro. Internal Disputes But Metro's energies are usually expended in the internal wars within the Metro Commission and with the county manager or with truculent municipalities, and it may be some time before it gets around to that problem. Others would scrap the present building as a recreational facility and either move Coral Gables Elementary School there or transfer the operations of the Police and Fire Departments, to cite a few suggestions. This might take some legal gymnastics, but nothing is impossible in law in view of recent court gyrations. Such a plan would probably run into a host of other obstacles in the form of well intentioned local civic leaders who worked for the present setup. How did it come about? To start at the beginning, a group of civic minded individuals organized late during the World War II conflict to provide recreation for the growing community and to erect a memorial to those who had served their country. They called themselves the War Memorial Youth Center Association and their start was modest. "Sottile" Tract In 1948 the city purchased the present "Sottile" tract and created a unified block-long property which it and the Association owned and operated through a complicated system of reverters. Donations from the city to the Association, modest at first, grew steadily until combined appropriations reached more than $40,000 in the last year of the operation at the old site in 1956. Long before then the problem had outgrown the Association and they were happy to have the City take it over. It was felt that the old Youth Center site was not suitable and plans were made to move. Land was obtained from the University of Miami and in a complex legal move, Florida National Realty Company Inc. paid the City $351,600 for the old site and the Association reportedly added $54,000 to compensate the city for purchase of the UM property. Following much controversy and delay the new Youth Center finally opened amid much ado and fanfare on Dec. 7, 1956, and some wondered if the delay had not had something to do with the final opening date. Couldn't Come Gov. LeRoy Collins was to come, but couldn't make it. Among those who participated were representatives of the area's veterans organizations, city officials and Jasper D. Van Atten, president of the Youth Association; Henry W. Morgenthaler, president emeritus; Mrs. Lewis Hall, chairman of the board and Paul B. Brinson, legal counsel. But the concrete in the beautifully designed and landscaped building had hardly set when the financial problems began to crop up. Soon, acting Recreation Director William A. Adams would be leaving and fees made their appearance as the City Commission, pared the budget. Disagreements cropped up with the Association over reversionary rights. Appropriations continued to mount past the $100,000 mark, leaving some wondering if matters would not have been better had the old operation been retained. Meanwhile, the City Commission faces steadily mounting deficits which some day will culminate in a seven digit mark. The problem is a tough one. How will it be solved?

The Palomar Observatory in California has photographed a spot of light that appears to be six billion light years away - the most distant celestial object yet detected. Scientists believe it may be two galaxies in collision.

WARNING To Business & Professional or PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT INSTANT Credit Investigations ONE PHONE CALL CAN SAVE $$$$ KNOW THE HABITUAL BAD CREDIT RISKS CALL CENTRAL CREDIT CONTROL

FR 1-1465 • FR 1-78...

READ TIMES WANT ADS

USED CARS LOWEST PRICES ANYWHERE '49's to 57's — FORDS TO CADILLACS LaPLANT'S SPECIAL

1957 PLYMOUTH Custom Suburban Station Wagon. New Tires, Paint, Automatic Transmission, Radio and Heater........ $795.00 MANY OTHERS $50.00 UP—WILL FINANCE BUY DIRECT FROM OWNER ■ NO SALESMEN LaPlant's So. Miami Motors 5813 S.W. 68th St. MO 1-4124 West End of Steven's Mkt. Parking Lot on 68th Street

YOUR CHOICE OF FREE GIFTS WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR $250, OR MORE

EARN 4% CURRENT ANNUAL DIVIDEND PAID SEMI-ANNUALLY Residents of Dade County's Great South West including Coral Gables, South Miami and other neighboring communities are being given the opportunity to participate in one of Florida's fastest growing Savings & Loan Associations and receive a handsome gift, too. All national brand merchandise, which you will enjoy for yourself or giving as a gift. Yours merely for opening a savings account of just $250 or more. SAVE BY JANUARY 10th EARN FROM JANUARY 1st OPEN FRIDAY EVENINGS UNTIL 8 P. M. FREE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES Nationally known Wear Ever Aluminum 2-qt. Sauce Pan. New - Exciting! Nationally known Wear Ever Aluminum 9-in Fry Pan with anodized copper cover! New - Exciting! G. E. Heating Pad, 12' x 15', 3 Heats. Push Button Control. Removable Treated Cover - Washable. 1 Year Warranty. 60 Watts AC & DC. Famous Sheffield, England stainless steel combination 3-pc. Carving set and 6-pc. matching steak se in 2-drawer Chest. Soft-Wooly-Warm-Satin Bound Nationally Advertised Beacon Blankets, Full Size - Pastel Colors. Lady Manicure Nationally Advertised Electric Home and Travel Manicure Kit - Complete Including Battery. Makes Ideal Gift. Hallcraft Dishes - starter set, 16-pc. Sculptured White. Additional place settings available through better department stores. G. E. Telechron Electric Wall Clock. Cut-out Numerals Create 3-Dimensional Effect. Never Needs Winding - Accurate - Beautiful. 21" Travel Bag, wear resistant, ample space, can be used as one "suiter." World famous Detecto Bathroom scales in decorators' colors. Famous G. E. Electric alarm clock Beautiful colors. Fully guaranteed. University Federal SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF CORAL GABLES Miracle Mile at Ponce de Leon

ALL FORMS OF INSURANCE STUART B. PATTERSON

1510A S. DIXIE HWY. CORAL GABLES PHONE MO 5-1385