Starkey Ranch Joint Use Complex Officially Dedicated

LAND O' LAKES, FL — Parents and community members joined Pasco County commissioners and school board members Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the Starkey Ranch Joint Use Complex, a first-of-its-kind partnership that includes Pasco’s first K-8 school and a state-of-the-art library, theater and cultural center.

The dedication celebration included performances by Starkey Ranch K-8 students, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the school and the theater, library and cultural center.

Speakers included School Superintendent Kurt Browning, School Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong, County Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey, Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd, and the architects who designed the project. The welcome was provided by Starkey Ranch K-8 Principal Cortney Gantt and Pasco County Libraries Regional Branch Manager Mary Beth Isaacson.

The Starkey Ranch Joint Use Complex, located at 12200 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa, opened in the fall.

“This is a great example of how vision, collaboration and hard work results in tremendous benefits to the community,” said Browning. “This is a unique and exciting space that the public will enjoy for years to come.”

Upcoming activities include:

• An Earth Day as part of the Neighborhood Forest initiative. Sign up a child by Feb. 28 to receive a free tree in April that can be picked up at the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center.
• A kids' open painting studio Saturday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome and all supplies will be provided. The open studio will take place the last Saturday of each month.
• Picasso guitar collages for children Tuesday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m.
• Ekphrastic poetry, writing poetry reflecting on Picasso's works, Wednesday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. Make your own accordion sketchbook Thursday, March 3 at 5 p.m. Saturday Lego open build for kids Friday, March 4 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, March 5 at 10 a.m.
• Circle loom weaving for beginners Tuesday, March 15 at 2 p.m.
• Cultivating Calm and Connection meditation group Wednesday, March 16 at 6 p.m.
• Sewing for beginners Wednesday, March 16 at 10 a.m.
• A tie-dye bandana class Thursday, March 17 at 6 p.m.
• A Building Health Behaviors seminar Wednesday, March 23 from 6 to 7 p.m.
• An adult open art studio Wednesday, March 23 at 5:30 p.m.
• A children's and an adult's improv class Sunday, March 27 at 1:15 p.m.

For more information, click here.