Sarasota picked to host 2017 World Rowing Championships

Sarasota's Nathan Benderson Park has been named the venue for the 2017 World Rowing Championships. The Swiss-based International Federation of Rowing Association's (FISA) congress picked Sarasota over Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in a vote today in Chungju, South Korea.

A contingent from Sarasota and Manatee counties, including representatives from SunCoast Aquatic Nature Center Association — the non-profit group of local tourism, government and other officials that made the bid — witnessed the selection earlier today.

Early last month, a council from FISA had recommended Sarasota to host the event, to be held at Nathan Benderson Park, located just south of University Parkway, off Cattlemen Road.

The 137-member congress features delegates from as many countries.

Officials estimate the 10-day World Championships will attract more than 42,000 people to Sarasota and Manatee counties and have a regional economic impact of $25 million.

There hasn’t been a world rowing championship in the United States since 1994.

Sarasota and Manatee counties have collectively put $5.6 million to the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

Read the Sept. 5 East County Observer for more details on this story.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].