Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay Re-Opens Freddie Solomon Club at Nuccio Park

TAMPA – (November 14, 2018) – The Freddie Solomon Boys & Girls Club held its Grand Re-opening this afternoon. The newly renovated facility located at 4805 E Sligh Avenue in Tampa, will benefit children in the Nuccio Park community and be supported by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. 

The Solomon Club has been serving youth ages 5-18 since it’s original opening in 2013. The Club’s renovation was made possible through an investment from Hillsborough County and includes an addition of 1,550 square feet. The addition will allow the Club to resume operating under one roof and serve 50 more youth (over 150 in total) from the community. President and CEO Chris Letsos said “This is more than just a building being renovated. This is an expansion of Freddie’s legacy.” Letsos added “This Club connects everyone in the community, just like Freddie did. His legacy is here in these walls to lift everyone up.

The Freddie Solomon Club was the first Boys & Girls Club in Tampa Bay to open under the model partnership with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), offering the 24-hour presence of an HCSO Deputy. “This partnership helps our community by building stronger and smarter children and provides opportunities and the environment for children to succeed.” said Sheriff Chad Chronister with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. 

“Freddie believed in having a safe place for kids to learn, grow and become better stewards of their community” said Delilah “Dee” Solomon, Community Relations Director with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Freddie’s wife. “It warms my heart to keep his legacy alive. Each day I spend around the kids from this Club is a day I feel Freddie standing beside me. I am grateful to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their support of Freddie’s vision and the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.” said Solomon. 

In addition to the increased space, the Club also has access to a “Dream Court” left by the NCAA when Tampa hosted the Women’s Final Four in 2015. A new soccer pitch is also located on the property and is provided through the generosity of Target Corporation, US Soccer and Hillsborough Parks & Recreation.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay
Since 1926, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay has been a positive force in the community; enabling young people to become productive, responsible and caring citizens through structured programming, safe learning environments and dedicated staff. With a focus on three core priority outcomes – Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Improving Character & Leadership, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay provides opportunities to build new skills that raise a Club Member’s belief that he or she can succeed and receive recognition for personal, social and academic accomplishments. With multiple Clubs and Middle School sites throughout Hillsborough and Pasco County, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay makes futures great for more than 19,000 young people each year.