This is just a short, condensed history of some of the CBWC initiatives to improve Cocoa Beach facilities. A tremendous effort by all the ladies that went before us (and some who are still serving the community)

The Cocoa Beach Woman’s Club was officially organized in September 1965 and has been a very viable part of the community since that time. The Senior Citizens Club, now known as Freedom Seven Senior Center, was the Club’s first sponsored organization.

In 1969, the CBWC voted to build a Community Center as a much-needed Community Improvement Project to accommodate the numerous clubs and organizations that came into being with the influx of Space Workers and their families.

1972 , The CBWC published ‘Out of This World Cookbook I’ in an effort to raise funds for a community center which had been designed and City Commission approval to build on the water adjacent to the then CB Golf Course. Included in the Cookbook was the architect’s drawing of the proposed facility. By 1979, the cookbook was in its’ eighth printing and by 1982, 25,000 copies had been sold.
With the election of new City Commissions and Commissioners over the years, the City withdrew their approval for the location of the Community Center adjacent to the Golf Course, on the point beyond Pedro’s establishment. Therefore, in 1982, the CB Woman’s Club voted to purchase a 1.7-acre tract of land, north of St. Lucie Dr. and adjacent to Banana River Blvd. at a cost of $230,000. to build a Community Center for the City of Cocoa Beach. Thus, ‘Out of this World Cookbook II’.

Following the purchase of this land, the City Public Works Department determined the need for
property on the northern side of the city for the expansion of the sewer department. In 1988, in
cooperation with the City of Cocoa Beach Recreation Advisory Board, the project of building a
community center was incorporated into the proposed 20-year plan for the development of the City Recreation Complex.
In 1990, the Cocoa Beach Woman’s Club presented a check in the amount of $100,000 to the City
toward the construction of a Community Center and the Club presented the DEED to the Club’s land to the City of Cocoa Beach for use by the Public Works Department. During 91-92 the Club and its’ members donated funds for the flag pole; 25 card tables and chairs, plus $32,000 for the dividing walls in what is now known as the auditorium; and the parquet dance floor.

April 23, 1992, the CBWC hosted a gala celebration for the “Grand Opening.” In 1994 the club purchased back drapes for the stage; 2003 purchased the valance; and in 2005 purchased and installed the stage draw curtains. Total Donated $ 525,110.

In February 1997, F & D Incorporated pulled out of its contract with the City of Cocoa Beach to operate the CB Community Center. City officials voted to close the facility even though, according to their financial figures, it cost the City approximately $300 p/day with its doors closed.
In December 1997, a City Commission Workshop was held to decide the future of the Community Center. The City manager recommended that the facility be consolidated with a city recreational facility and that the recreational facility be sold to help pay for renovations. This would have meant the destruction of the community center. As a result of this workshop, in January 1998, the CBWC appointed a committee to investigate the situation. The Committee findings were reported to the City at a workshop held February 3, 1998. At a City Commission Meeting on February 5, 1998 the CBWC was officially requested to “explore the options and requirements of re-opening the center within 90 days of this meeting.”

Official presentations were made to the City Commission March 19, April 2, April 16, April 28, June 4 and August 5, 1998. The firing of the City manager on June 18th , the resignation of the Budget Director and the Personnel Director, the appointment of an “acting” city manager added to the length and time of our involvement. Agreements made were nullified and changed, however the Re-Opening of the Community Center finally occurred on August 10, 1998 with a Space Coast League of Cities Dinner Meeting. In 2005, the CBWC hosted the City’s 80th Anniversary Party, with over 500 in attendance.