December 11, 2007 - Special Needs Shelter Named After Coach Fenn

The St. Lucie County Special Needs Shelter has an official name - The Havert L. Fenn Center. The Board of County Commissioners dedicated the new facility, which is currently under construction along Virginia Ave, to ''Coach'' Fenn during a surprise ceremony this month.

A former Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County commissioner, Fenn is a long-time educator and community activist who continues to be involved in helping area residents and businesses.

''I'm really gratified to have this facility with my name on it,'' Fenn said at the ceremony after wiping away a tear. ''I didn't do what I've done for Fenn; I did it because I love people...I have the community at heart.''

This $12.7 million facility is replacing the St. Lucie County Civic Center, which was destroyed during the 2004 hurricanes. Construction of the 62,500-square-foot building is expected to be complete in May. It will feature a 22,800-square-foot auditorium with an NCAA-regulation basketball court, multi-purpose rooms and office space for St. Lucie County's Parks and Recreation Department.

In the event of an emergency, the facility will be able to house 500 special-needs residents and 250 support staff.

Most of the funding for this project comes from state and federal grants, FEMA reimbursement and county insurance