With rowing park contract, Sarasota supports nonprofit

EAST COUNTY — Paul Blackketter, the president of the nonprofit that runs Nathan Benderson Park, likes to refer to the time period before the organization becomes self-sufficient as “building the bridge to world class.”

In his metaphor, Blackketter implies the need for support — the “bridge” — from Sarasota and Manatee counties, the state and donors — before the park reaps the economic rewards of hosting the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners agreed to provide part of that “bridge” of funding when it approved a contract March 19 for Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA) to run the venue’s day-to-day operations. 

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

The agreement allows SANCA to keep fees and revenue from events at the park.

It also requires Sarasota County to reimburse SANCA up to $788,722 a year for expenses related to park administration, event staging, maintenance, operations and personnel until October 2018, when the reimbursement is reduced to $250,000 a year.

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.

Commissioners unanimously approved the agreement, which supports the belief that the faster SANCA becomes self-sufficient, the less it will cost the county.

“I want SANCA to make as much money as possible,” Sarasota County Commission Chairman Charles Hines said. “The public should understand that it’s not bad for SANCA to make a ton of money through T-shirts, concessions or whatever it is.”

For Blackketter, who has led a charge since 2009 to turn the park into a world-class rowing facility, Sarasota County’s support gives him confidence that he can present a valid business plan to donors whose funds are needed to complete the park.

“Our track record speaks for itself,” Blackketter said. “We’ve put together a facility that’s one of a kind in the Western hemisphere.”

CONTRACT DETAILS
Sarasota County reimburses SANCA up to $788,722 a year for expenses related to park administration, event staging, maintenance, operations and personnel until October 2018, at which time the reimbursement is reduced to $250,000 a year.

The contract 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 includes options for additional 10-year extensions after that.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].