Marina Jack wins ‘Marina of the Year’ award

Marina Jack has drawn national attention to the city of Sarasota thanks to a nod from Marina Dock Age magazine.

The trade publication named the 315-slip mooring field, which is located off of Bayfront Drive, its 2015 Marina of Year in the large marina category. Recent winners include Narrows Marina in Tacoma, Wash., and Southport Marina in Southport, N.C.

“This award is truly a testament to, not only our ownership, but our staff and customers,” said Marina Jack Director of Marina Operations Sam Chavers in a news release.

The magazine awarded the accolade based on the public-private partnership between Marina Jack and the city, community events, boat shows and its certification as a Clean Marina for more than a decade.

“What struck me most about Marina Jack was how much it had changed over the last fifteen years or so, continuing to evolve when many marinas were struggling with the economy,” said Marina Dock Age Editor Anna Townshend in the release.

The award comes about three months after Marina Jack co-owners Bob and Suzann Soran purchased the former Turtle Beach Marina on Siesta Key for $2.4 million. The pair have started upgrading the facility, which is now called Bayfront Yacht Works & Marina.

“We were looking for a facility to service the boating community for things like underwater and out-of-water vessel repairs,” said Bob Soran in a previous interview with the Sarasota Observer.