Benderson Park facility towers above competition

When River Isles’ resident Dave Boyers works at Nathan Benderson Park, he’s normally on the ground level, selling flavored shaved ice from his Kona Ice truck.

But from the top of the new Finish Tower at Nathan Benderson Park on July 12, he couldn’t stop snapping photos.

“This is a fantastic venue,” he said. “I’m blown away with the view. I think this could be used as a multipurpose (building).”

The 2017 World Rowing Championships committee hosted about 200 members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance for a sneak peek of the finish tower. The group was one of the first to hold an event at the newly constructed building, which should be finished by the end of July.

Robert Sullivan, president and CEO of Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, the nonprofit business tasked with running Nathan Benderson Park for Sarasota County, said only minor items remain, such as the paving of the parking lot, which should occur this week. Furniture will be moved into the structure just before the World Rowing Championships open Sept. 24.

Sullivan said SANCA already has booked events for the facility.

Longterm, SANCA leaders see the finish tower as a community centerpiece, hosting sporting and nonsporting events. Nathan Benderson Park is widely used by walkers, runners, bicyclists, fishermen and other members of the public outside special rowing or other events.

The finish tower creates opportunities with indoor, air-conditioned spaces that can host corporate training events, banquets, wedding rehearsal dinners, health-related classes, educational seminars and more.

“It gives us a physical structure to host events on a daily basis,” Sullivan said. “We can have multiple events happening at the same time.”

SANCA will use its early events in the finish tower as tests.

“We’re easing into it,” Sullivan said. “As we do more events, we’ll become more efficient.”

Each of six floors has a specific purpose.

The ground level offers a shady spot for outdoor guests, as well as a public restroom that will be open during regular park hours. The second level, where the Business Alliance event was held, is considered the social floor. SANCA staff members envision that one day it may be open to the public on a daily basis as the place where park visitors can get out of the heat, sign up for classes or rent equipment.

Jessica Shorin, SANCA’s director of business development, called the second floor the facility’s future “social hub.”

“This is where people will get rentals and merchandise,” she said. “This is their community park. We want (the public) to feel welcome.”

The third level is reserved for sporting event officials, judges and media. It may be used for other events, but its primary purpose will remain rowing, even after the World Rowing Chamzpionships.

SANCA will have its offices on the fourth floor. Staff members will move in after the World Rowing Championships.

The fifth floor will be a social room that can be rented out. The roof doubles as an open-air patio.

Sullivan said rental fees have not been set. There is no commercial kitchen, but the building has space to accommodate caterers.

Shorin said SANCA has booked the NCAA Women’s Rowing National Championships for Divisions I, II and III in 2018, 2021 and 2022. She expects the venue will continue to book premier events.

“For the success of this facility, it’s a balance of nature with sports events and community events,” Sullivan said. “More than anything, it’s a building with options. It’s a park with options.”