Commissioners approve SANCA contract

Sarasota County Commissioners ushered another milestone in preparing Nathan Benderson Park for the 2017 World Rowing Championships when they approved a contract today for Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA) to run the venue’s day-to-day operations. 

During the length of a contract running from April 15, through Sept. 30, 2019, SANCA will run operations, events and fundraising at the 600-acre park.

Commissioners approved the agreement unanimously, with commissioner Joe Barbetta abstaining from the vote. 

“Our track record speaks for itself,” said Paul Blackketter, president of SANCA, which has informally led a charge since 2009 to turn the park into a world-class rowing facility. “We’re community strong. We’ve put together a facility that’s one of a kind in the Western hemisphere. This park is not designed to be a cash cow. It’s designed to run and host world-class events and to work with the community to make it happen.” 

The agreement includes an automatic 10-year extension if the organization completes the finish tower, grand stands and safety improvements within six months of the end of the contract, and options for additional 10-year extensions after that.

The county will reimburse SANCA up to $788,000 per fiscal year (with pro-rated amounts this year) for maintenance costs, personnel and administrative expenses and the staging of special events, according to a memo to commissioners. Those funds would come from the county's tourist development taxes and the special recreation fund, but a revenue forecast shows the general fund may need to supplement funding by at least $300,000 in the 2017 and 2018 fiscal years.

“I have heard nothing but good things from the community about the park,” said Nora Patterson, Sarasota commissioner. “It puts Sarasota on the map in an unusual way. Yes, it’s a bunch of money. But we believe it’s worth it or we wouldn’t be putting our necks out.”

See more on this story in the March 27 Observer.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].