Temple Terrace Celebrates Opening Of New Boys & Girls Club

TEMPLE TERRACE, FL -- Temple Terrace and surrounding areas will celebrate the grand opening of the Hachem Foundation Temple Terrace Boys & Girls Club Monday, March 25, from 3 to 5 p.m.

The new club at 7701 Temple Terrace Highway, the location of a former county parks facility, has been a joint project of the community, the city of Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County to provide a home away from home for up to 100 children and teens, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister.

"We are excited for the opening of this center. This will be an amazing resource for the children Temple Terrace, Tampa and Hillsborough County," said Chronister. "From a law enforcement standpoint, this is a great addition for the entire community. Our data shows there has been a significant decrease in juvenile crime in communities served by a center."

The center sits on six acres of Hillsborough County property and features a full playground and a variety of sports and program activities, including soccer and tutoring.

The center is named for Sam and Laurice Hachem. Laurice Hachem, president of Hachem Investments, committed $500,000 toward the establishment of a Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay in Temple Terrace. This is the second area club supported by the Sam and Laurice Hachem Foundation, which contributed to the Town 'N Country Boys & Girls Club in 2017.

The club has been championed by Temple Terrace Police Chief Ken Albano, Temple Terrace Mayor Mel Jurado and the Temple Terrace City Council as well. The Mayor's Youth Leadership Council has been collecting thousands of books to establish a library at the club.

Community members have done their part as well, including Vinny Medero of Advantage Steel Inc., who donated talent and materials to the project.