CITRUS PARK — Members and nearby residents said they were blindsided by the early September announcement that the Jewish Community Center on the Maureen and Douglas Cohn Campus off Gunn Highway would close after more than three decades.
In an open letter that was also published in the Jewish Press Tampa just before High Holidays began Sept. 22, CEO Gary Gould said that after 33 years on the campus, financial strain was the main reason for the closure and ultimate impending sale of the property, which will be to an unnamed developer that is expected to build homes on site.
The Cohn Campus includes the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Assisted Living Residences, the JCC on the site and a preschool, all of which will close, with the latter being able to finish out the school year. The closing will also see nearly 100 employees laid off from the nonprofit portion of the JCC…