About Us
In the early 80s, Darryl McMillan was one of several Callers in Panama City so he started the Swinging Squares Club. They outgrew their building on 19th Street so he began an initiative to build a dance hall in the local community.
The Panama City Square and Round Dance Association (PCSRDA) was formed in 1985. Their mission was to recruit, engage and retain dancers. It was comprised of five Square Dancing Clubs and one Round Dance Club: Tyndall Toe Tappers, Square Eight, Wheel and Dealers, St Joe Sunshiners, Ranch House Dancers and Dance-A-Round.
In 1986, PCSRDA leased the land at 1105 Bob Little Road for 20 years from Bay County. The lease was renewed for another 20 years in 2006 when the PCSRDA Board appeared before County Commissioners.
PCSRDA built GSHPC in 1986 by sweat equity from volunteers and dancers who donated $5,000 each. No loans were taken out for construction. It has a fully-functioning kitchen, air conditioning and great acoustics. As many as 15 Squares have danced on it at once.
PCSRDA operates as a Not-for-Profit organization with a Board of Directors. The 2024 Board is: Kathie Kern, President; Ken Crowe, Vice President; Helen Crowe, Treasurer; Tammy Jankowski, Secretary; and Jon Kern, Building Manager.
At the height of popularity, GSHPC hosted Square Dancing Clubs six nights a week. Saturday nights were special dances that out-of-town Square Dancing clubs would attend.
Today, the Swinging Squares are the only Square Dancing club left in Panama City.
2025 Leasing
In 2025 the leaders at Grand Square Hall Panama City were informed that they would be getting their lease on the hall renewed. Losing the lease meant not only would they lose the option to use the land, but they would also lose the hall that they had built.
All the clubs at Grand Square Hall pitched in to recruit their dancers to join them at the Bay County Commissioners meeting. The more dancers that showed up, the better. Then the Commissioners could see that the hall was benefitting the community.
On March 18th the Commissioners meeting was held, members from all of the dance clubs at Grand Square Hall were there, the lease for the hall was renewed without contest.
We are thankful for everyone who supported us at the Commisioners meeting, and we are so excited to be able to continue using our wonderful hall!