Margate submitted a grant application to the Florida
Division of Arts and Culture’s Cultural Facilities Program, seeking $133,300 to
support enhancements to the Leonard Weisinger Community Center.
The Leonard Weisinger Community Center, located at 6199 NW
10th Street in Margate, is a hub for cultural, educational, and recreational
activities. The proposed project aims to fortify the center’s infrastructure,
focusing on three main areas: replacing the aging roof, renovating the
restrooms to meet current ADA standards, and improving the building’s exterior
façade. These upgrades are designed to ensure the center remains a safe,
accessible, and welcoming environment for all community members
Over the years, the Weisinger Community Center has offered a
wide range of programming for children, adults, and seniors. The building,
constructed decades ago, is showing signs of wear and requires modernization to
continue serving the community effectively. The roof, in particular, has been
identified as a critical area of concern, with its replacement necessary to
meet current safety codes and provide protection against South Florida’s severe
weather conditions
The restroom renovations are equally important, as they will
bring the facilities up to ADA standards, making them fully accessible to all
users. This upgrade is needed so the center can accommodate everyone, including
individuals with disabilities, in a comfortable and dignified manner. The
planned façade improvements will boost the building’s aesthetic appeal and
contribute to its longevity by protecting against the elements
This initiative, which requires a significant investment of
$399,900, will be funded through a combination of city and grant funds, with
Margate committing $266,600 as part of the required 2-to-1 matching funds
If awarded, the grant will allow the project to proceed with
the timeline set to begin by July 2025. The city plans to complete the
procurement and bidding process by September 2025, with renovation activities
expected to conclude by July 2026. The project’s completion is anticipated by
August 2026, ensuring that the community can benefit from the enhanced
facilities in time for the following year’s programming