Federation Motto:

In great things, Unity In Small things, Liberty In all things, Charity

GFWC Temple Terrace Woman's Club

Omar K. Lightfoot Center  

In 1959, The Omar K. Lightfoot Recreation Center, located at 56th Street and Whiteway Drive, was originally designed to be used as a Youth Center and skating rink by the Temple Terrace Optimists Club. The property was donated for this purpose by Omar K. Lightfoot, Sr. a builder and developer in Temple Terrace. After construction started, the Optimists found it difficult to raise enough public funds to finish the project. The City of Temple Terrace had no recreation facilities of this type.  In 1963 TTWC recognized this need and joined several other community service organizations, including the Junior Woman’s Club, to support fund raising events to be used to complete the building. Several members represented the Club on the Youth Foundation, Inc. Board to further this endeavor.

Eventually it was necessary to go before the Hillsborough County Commissioners and request financial aid from the County to complete the center. Hillsborough County agreed to provide the necessary funds to complete the building and the City of Temple Terrace became responsible for this facility. It was completed and dedicated on September 12, 1965. The County did not provide funds to furnish a kitchen so the Club agreed to plan and furnish a commercial kitchen for this Recreational Center in order to make the building more useful for special events. This was completed during the year of 1967 at a cost of $2,000.

The building was designated as the headquarters for the City Parks and Recreation Department and the first Director was hired. When the center opened in 1965 scheduled activities for the citizens of Temple Terrace included classes in physical fitness, painting, bridge, remedial reading, square dancing and tumbling.

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