History of the Anna Maria Community Center: In 1950 the Island school needed to expand and moved to its present location in 4700 Gulf Drive, in Holmes Beach. The old building was used by the Lion’s Club for their regular meetings. Soon, they also began to operate a youth center. Stewart Hawkins, Melvin Davis and Richard Earnest and their wives devoted hours of their time to keep the facility open for dances, Saturday afternoon movies and a variety of other activities. They were following in the footsteps of previous citizens - seeing a need for children on the Island and meeting it. The following year Fred Hutchinson, his wife Patsy and Bennie Scanio became concerned that land on the island was becoming scarce and the children lacked a proper playground. They approached the City Commissioners with a plea and won the city's full support. A land swap was arranged, Walter Hardin donated property and the Manatee County School Board gave its approval. With volunteer help the playground evolved, tennis courts and a rough baseball diamond were added. As more and more children flocked to the Magnolia Avenue facility it became clear the old schoolhouse was simply too small. In 1959, under the leadership of Bennie Scanio a campaign started to raise funds to renovate the building. Fred Hutchinson and Dr. Roy Gunther pitched in, ever frugal, they salvaged material from a demolished mainland hotel and the old Ringling Brothers winter quarters for the new building. Al Robson contributed plans, Frank Blount provided the foundation and local contractors and carpenters gave their time. The old schoolhouse renovated and grounds were improved and officially registered as not for profit the Island Teen Center in 1960 serving Island children and families. Twenty-three years later in 1983, the old schoolhouse had outlasted expectations and once more dedicated community members built a new facility. As word of Anna Maria’s unique lifestyle spread, more people moved to the Island. There are currently more than 8,000 residents, an increase of more than 50 percent over the 1980 figures. Therefore, it is clear the Center must once again expand if it is to properly serve the citizens of the island.