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Putting you front and (RP Funding) Center

What’s next for the RP Funding Center?

An exterior aerial view of the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL

What do you think should come to the RP Funding Center next? | Photo by @rpfundingcenter

The RP Funding Center is in for some big changes. The Lakeland Magic — now the Osceola Magic — announced their move to Kissimmee earlier this month, and the Florida Tropics are not planning to play their next season in Lakeland either.

Also leaving the RP Funding Center is executive director Tony Camarillo, who told the city on Friday, April 21 that he plans to resign in May to take a position with the Orange County Convention Center.

The City of Lakeland has a vested interest in the center’s success: It paid a $2.8 million+ subsidy last year to fund its operations. City commissioners have planned to cut that number to $1.6 million by 2027.

According to Tony, the departure of the Magic and the Tropics would help finances at the RP Funding Center more than it would hinder them. With fewer sports games on the schedule, more profitable events can be planned.

That’s where you come in. With an opening in the leadership office, we’re inviting you to be the director — at least, in your imagination. If you were in charge, what kind of events and attractions would you like to see at the RP Funding Center?

Maybe you’d like to see another team play its games there, or perhaps you’re a music fan hoping for a concert series. Whatever it is, we’d like to know your ideas (even your wildest dreams). Send yours in and we may share them.

What you said

Over 300 of our readers and followers offered suggestions for what they would like to see next at the RP Funding Center.

The most popular choices were more concerts, an ice hockey team, Broadway-style shows, and an indoor sports complex. Here are a few more of your suggestions:

“Concerts, comedy shows, musicals, plays. Bring the ARTS!” — Cammie W.

“Massive pickle ball complex???” — Brad S.

“Swan city roller derby! This Lakeland womens sports team is looking for a home. Derby bouts at RP would be very welcome!!” — Anne S.

“Turn it into a Performing Arts Center so it can be the pillar of the arts in the community of Lakeland. Let it aim to be the city’s cultural home for immersive theatre, music and dance.” — @allysonmlewis

“Lakeland Chef Competition” — Lucas R.

“More music concerts like Classic Albums Live, dances, sport venues. Lakeland needs more entertainment for adults” — @lindahite

“There have been some great (RnB) concerts in this venue. It would be nice not to have to go so far all the time. Bring some comedy shows to town. I would definitely buy tickets.” — Olivia S.

“Comedians, podcasts, Ted Talks educational events, authors speaking or… renovate it to an indoor sports complex that draws people in from Tampa and Orlando, etc.” — @christypascoe

Upcoming events

You don’t have to wait to see what’s coming next to the RP Funding Center — its calendar is already stacked. Tickets are available for these events and more happening this summer.

Classic Albums Live: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Damn the Torpedoes” | Thursday, May 18 | 7:30-10 p.m. | $44-$52 | Hear this best-selling album performed note for note, cut for cut.
“Mughal E Azam” — The Musical | Saturday, June 17-Sunday, June 18 | 7 p.m. | $79-$399 | See this Indian play with Broadway-style musical numbers.
Lakeland Women’s Day | Sunday, June 25 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Free entry | Enjoy free pampering, shop, and learn about local businesses and resources focused on educating and empowering women.

Asked

What would you add to the RP Funding Center?

Tell us what you would add to the schedule if you were the venue’s director.

You're in the director's chair

Events

Wednesday, April 26

Alzheimer’s Association’s In-Person Caregiver Support Group | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 10-11 a.m. | Florida Presbyterian Homes, McArthur Building, 810 Lakeside Ave., Lakeland | Free | Meet other caregivers and learn more about caring for loved ones at this monthly meeting.
Live Trivia w/ Top Dog Concessions | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy food truck eats and cold brews as you play along with live trivia.

Thursday, April 27

Spring Pop-Up Series: Plates on Deck | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Home cooking and fine dining meet at this lunch pop-up with elevated soul food bites.
Poppy Moon | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Flowers, stars, mountains, and moonlit waters — this step-by-step painting has it all.

Friday, April 28

Autism/ASD Support Group | Friday, Apr. 28 | 10-11:15 a.m. | CJB United Way Children’s Resource Center, 650 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Join other members of this community for support and encouragement — childcare is provided.
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Palm Beach Cardinals | Friday, Apr. 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $7-$50 | The first 300 fans at this game will receive a grab bag giveaway item from the Flying Tigers.

Saturday, April 29

First Light Yoga at Hollis Garden | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Hollis Garden, 702 E. Orange St, Lakeland | Free | Get your morning flow on with an outdoor yoga class led by Yoga Pointe.
Kids Museum Day | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | Free | Young aviation fans can enjoy exclusive guided tours, bounce houses, a local author’s corner, and refreshments.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

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News Notes

Award

Sheriff Grady Judd will honor local law enforcement members and volunteers at the 2023 PCSO Annual Awards Ceremony. Attend the event on Thursday, April 27 at Haines City’s Lake Eva Event Center to see who will win Deputy of the Year, the Medal of Honor, and more.

Health

After being diagnosed with vitiligo — a disease that causes skin color loss — Tonja Johnson of Lakeland has supported others experiencing similar diagnoses. Her support group will host a free mental health forum for individuals with skin challenges on Saturday, April 29 at the Simpson Park Community Center. (WFTS)

Learn

Are you a genealogy guru looking to make some extra cash? Get the tools you need at the Lakeland Public Library’s next Generators workshop on Monday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. The topic is “How to Turn Your Genealogy Hobby into a Business” — registration is required.

Try This

Dr. Diana Álvarez-Hughes of Orange Blossom Poems’ next Women’s Studies Poetry Workshop will focus on motherhood. Registration is now open for this series of virtual meetings happening on Thursdays in May. Send a message to register.

Development

Lake Wales community members will get a chance to learn more about a planned pipe-manufacturing facility at a town hall tonight at 6 p.m. Leaders from Advanced Drainage Systems, the company behind the $250 million facility, will host the town hall at the Lake Wales Arts Center (1099 Florida 60). (The Ledger)

Travel

Visit the origin of our royal swan population with a flight to England — Orlando International Airport (MCO) will offer nonstop flights to London/Gatwick, England (LGW) starting May 25. Study up with our guide to MCO before you head across the pond.

The Word

Eastern equine encephalitis. Ok, it’s three words, but this mosquito-borne disease has affected two Polk County horses and could spread to humans. The Polk County Health Department recommends clearing standing water around your home to cut mosquito populations, but transmission to humans is very rare. (Fox 13 News)

Eat

Have you heard? Celebrity chef Paul Wahlberg is hosting a cooking class at Publix Aprons Cooking School on Saturday, May 6. On the menu: Wahlburger ground beef Salisbury Steak, plum and fennel salad, french toast cornbread, and more. See more details + register (before it sells out).*

Family

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend? It’s Kids Museum Day at the Florida Air Museum this Saturday, April 29 from 1-4 p.m. Geared toward kids grades K-5, the free-admission day of fun includes Lego activities, Science-On-A-Sphere showings, book author meet and greets, bounce houses, food trucks + more.*

Featured Job

Lakeland Christian School is hiring Substitute Teachers to keep instruction moving forward when a teacher is ill or away. Substitute Teachers are a valuable and important part of the school’s staff and, if selected, will be added to a current pool of available substitutes. Learn more + apply.*

Today Is

National Pretzel Day — AKA the most important day of the year for Stanley Hudson from “The Office.” If you’ve got a hankering for one of these fluffy on the inside, crisp and perfectly salted on the outside snacks, celebrate with this at-home pretzel kit or this gourmet pretzel pack.

Announced

Congratulations Nora R., the winner of our product survey! We hope you enjoy your $500 cash prize, and we thank you for providing your feedback. Responses from this survey are helping us improve our newsletter.

Outdoors

🌳 Go on a tree-sure hunt

Explore the City of Lakeland’s Urban Forest

A screenshot of the Hollis Garden Fruit Tree Collection map with a photo of a papaya tree from below

The papaya tree is stop 26 on the Hollis Garden tour. | Screenshot via City of Lakeland, photo by LALtoday

Did you know Lakeland’s Urban Forest includes 56,000 trees and its accredited arboretum includes 300+ species of trees? Celebrate Arbor Day (coming up on Friday, April 28) by taking a GPS-enabled tour of one of Swan City’s tree collections around Lake Morton and Hollis Garden.

Hollis Garden Fruit Tree Collection
Following the online map, you can see a photo of each of the 93 trees in this collection and its location around the garden. Once you’ve found the tree, you can read fun facts about its species, like its country of origin and how high it grows. Our favorite is the papaya tree, which can grow football-sized fruits. We even saw a few hanging high up in its branches.

Lake Morton Flowering Tree Collection
Just a short walk away are 69 flowering trees lining the shore of Lake Morton. The swans will be your guide to trees like the Pride of Bolivia, which blooms with apricot-colored flowers in early summer.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

If I were the RP Funding Center’s director, I would take a cue from the TECO Expo Hall in Plant City, which is hosting the Tampa Cat Show this weekend. The event will feature cats competing for best in show and modeling costumes. My first order of business would be moving this show to Lakeland — and entering my cat.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check in at the Hotel Thelma for the story of Lakeland’s first modern hotel.

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