By JON WILSON, Consulting Editor, TB Reporter

The youth-focused organization has taken up residence in the 20th Street Church of Christ.

ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Police Athletic League, long established here as a positive outlet for youngsters, has opened in Midtown with its first program a summer day camp for 60 children.

The PAL branch is at 820 20th St. S in the 20th Street Church of Christ. It will operate in 7,500 square feet in the church’s former sanctuary. Remodeling and first-year operating costs are being covered by current and former PAL officials. The St. Petersburg City Council has approved a $90,000 expenditure to put a new roof on the facility, replace a broken air conditioning system, power wash and paint the building, put up a new fence and install an emergency alarm system.

“It has been the desire of the PAL Board of Directors to provide services for the children of the Midtown area for some time,” said PAL chairman W.G. Spoor. He noted it has been difficult for youngsters in the neighborhood to reach PAL’s main facility at 1450 16th St. N.

Officials hope the new branch will dent the juvenile crime rate in Midtown, said to be one of the highest in Pinellas County.

A series of fundraisers are planned. Individuals and businesses interested in partnering with the PAL can contact executive director Doug Linder at 727-1PAL (1725) or dlinder@stpetepal.org .

St. Petersburg’s PAL was established in 1960. It is a 501c3 organization that offers affordable education programs, summer camps and after-school and athletic programs. It also provides mentoring and crime prevention programs. For more information about PAL, go to www.stpetepal.org.

St. Petersburg | Midtown | PAL

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