BELLEAIR - "Anytime you get all of the people of Belleair together, it's a great time, said town commissioner Gary Kattica, describing Saturday's Casino Night fundraiser at the Dimmitt Recreation Center. The grand opening of the 2.8 million dollar facility, located at 918 Osceola Road, was celebrated Las Vegas style. Revenues from ticket sales, raffles and games will be used for the Center's programs. "It's something the town has needed-- for all ages. Its success amazes us," said Kattica.
Marge and Larry Dimmitt, for whom the Center is named, were on hand to join in the ribbon cutting ceremony and gambling, along with members of the Doyle family whose name graces the Center's all purpose gym. Other rooms in the Center were also named to honor Belleair residents and town leaders.
The game room at the Center has been named for Mayor George Mariani Jr.'s father; George Sr. The Jack Eckerd Foundation dedicated the room to honor the Sr. Mariani, a past mayor. The Belleair Civic Association dedicated the John Yevich conference room to the present recreation director. Mayor George Mariani Jr. and Phil Doganiero are to be thanked for sponsoring the Center's cornerstones.
Gamblers attending Casino Night were treated like high rollers with valet parking, a martini bar, and live music, while trying their luck at the poker and black jack tables, shooting craps and placing bets at the roulette wheel. It was also the luck of the draw that determined who won the event's spectacular raffle prizes that included a flat screen TV, an X-Box 360 gaming system and a $1,000 full service night for a group of six at Radiance Medspa in Belleair Bluffs. Marlin Darlin, Stuffed Mushroom, Jimmy Guana's, Belleair Country Club, and Bella Vino along with other area restaurants donated hors d'oeuvres.
The fundraiser's mission was accomplished. Karla Rettstatt, town commissioner and chair person for the Casino Night said, "The Grand Opening of the Dimmitt Center in Belleair was a huge success with over 300 in attendance. We raised over $100,000 for the building fund."