Good times and summer are coming together at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
Family movie night is back — after major renovations at the park temporarily put the park out of commission for users.
A ribbon cutting in August 2015 signaled the completion of a $2.4 million makeover that added new ball fields, a concession building with restrooms, two shelters, new parking lots and a remodeled patio.
And now, at 7 p.m., on the first Friday of every month, families again can grab blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets for an evening with their favorite Hollywood stars.
The April 1 feature is “Shrek the Third,” the last installment in the adventures of Shrek, Princess Fiona and Puss ‘n Boots.
The movies are hosted by the Land O’ Lakes Community Center and the nonprofit Heritage Park Foundation.
The movie screenings have been upgraded from an inflatable giant screen to a Jumbotron, with crisper, sharper images.
“It’s a good family thing to do,” said Sandy Graves, the foundation’s president. “It takes advantage of the open space there, without being sports oriented. It’s a nice little venue.”
Graves said there are ongoing discussions about having the local Rotary Club offer concessions. For now, though, movie-goers need to bring their own treats.
No alcohol, however, is permitted.
Movie night officially kicked off on March 4 with a showing of “Ice Age.” About 100 people flapped open blankets and clicked lawn chairs into place.
Parking is no problem with the upgraded lots at the center, Graves said.
If there’s a big turnout, there’s plenty of room to park on a county-owned parcel, off School Road, across from the community center, Graves said.
For information, call (813) 929-1229.
Published March 30, 2016
