Janelle Irwin Taylor
Three cultural destinations serving Cuban and Italian residents and visitors, and others interested in their cultures, have lost planned funding after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed spending in the upcoming fiscal year budget.
DeSantis slashed $880,000 from the budget that had been approved for the Cuban Club in Ybor City, and another $125,000 from the Cuban Civic Club of Tampa in Town ’N Country. He also vetoed $350,000 for the Italian Club of Tampa.
Cuban Club improvements targeted in funding requests for the historic Ybor City facility included repairs to restrooms, HVAC units, flooring and electrical service, as well as an engineering study of the building and architectural services.
“The Cuban Club Building is in need of improvements to its interior in order to be commercially viable as a performing arts, event and convention center,” the appropriations request explains, adding that the funding will allow the Club to enrich cultural experience in Tampa and enhance tourism activity by expanding access for concerts and other performances, commercial weddings, fundraisers and more.
Improvements would also facilitate the facility’s use as a storm shelter during hurricanes, according to the request.
Funding for the Cuban Civic Club would have covered work on the building’s main electrical panel, as well as repairs and other improvements to the pool, bathrooms and outdoor facilities, including transforming tennis courts to pickleball and resurfacing the basketball courts and baseball field.
The Italian Club had requested $513,000 to cover operating and capital costs to stabilize its historic building. While it wasn’t full funding, the Italian Club did manage to score $350,000 in the approved budget, but lost it Monday after DeSantis announced his vetoes.
“The club has exhausted all sources of funding from other sources,” the request from Sen. Danny Burgess notes. “We have been unsuccessful in obtaining State Grant assistance for the last 4 years and we now find ourself in desperate need of funds to stabilize the structure.”
The building is a registered historic landmark and the oldest continually operating Italian American Organization of its type in the U.S., according to the club.
It offers community tours, hosts Italian language classes, cooking classes, cultural events and historical presentations.
