First the phone numbers change, now the Community Center hours … what’s next?

According to the Federal Communications Commission, there are 82 affected area codes across the country that have had to be changed, as they all have one thing in common: Their area codes are all similar to or too close to “988,” which is now the established national number for the crisis line. The 82 affected area codes have one thing in common: using 988 as a local exchange, a term that describes the middle digits of a 10-digit phone number (for example: 123-988-1234). Four of those area codes are in Florida: 321, in Brevard County; 352, in north-central Florida; 941, which covers an area from Bradenton to North Port; and 561, in Palm Beach County.

While they may seem like first-world problems to some, two changes to our daily life on Gasparilla Island are creating some confusion – the requirement of dialing the area code prior to placing a phone call, and changes in the Boca Grande Community Center hours.
If you’ve been to the Community Center you’ve probably seen the signs that indicate the Center will now be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturdays appear to be a thing of the past now.
When asked, Lee County Communications Director Betsy Clayton did not have a specific answer as to why the hours had changed, other than to say that “Due to demand, the days of operation changed effective Aug. 1. The Center will be closed on Saturdays. Signs have been placed at the Center and the website has been updated with the change.”
This means the fitness room is closed as well, which does not sit well with many island residents … not to mention that it also means the bathrooms will be closed to the public as well on that day.
In checking Lee County Parks and Recreation’s website, of the 10 recreation centers in Lee County, only the larger four have hours on Saturdays at this time.
If you have any thoughts about the changes in hours, your best course of action is to email our county commissioners, Their email addresses are listed at leegov.com/bocc.
While the changes with the phone systems went into effect last October, many people are just starting to realize that dialing phone numbers on Gasparilla Island requires adding the area code. Going from seven to 10 may not seem like a big deal in the scheme of things, but getting used to it can be very annoying.
The reason for the change is an interesting one – it is due to a national suicide prevention and mental health hotline.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, there are 82 affected area codes across the country that have had to be changed, as they all have one thing in common: Their area codes are all similar to or too close to “988,” which is now the established national number for the crisis line. The 82 affected area codes have one thing in common: using 988 as a local exchange, a term that describes the middle digits of a 10-digit phone number (for example: 123-988-1234). Four of those area codes are in Florida: 321, in Brevard County; 352, in north-central Florida; 941, which covers an area from Bradenton to North Port; and 561, in Palm Beach County.
In a press release issued at the end of last year, former FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai said, “experts predict that it will result in millions more Americans receiving the intervention services they desperately need. And when more Americans receive these services, we know that more lives will be saved.”
It went on to state that, “In the same way that 911 is used for emergencies, the FCC proposed 988 to be an easy-to-remember way for people to quickly and broadly access help. The service can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK.”
Is it convoluted? Yes. Is it annoying? Yes. But get used to it, because when the FCC makes a change, that’s it.