Approval completes vision for world-class rowing

SARASOTA COUNTY — When Benderson Development begins extending Cattlemen Road in just a few months, it will literally be paving the way for a future world-class rowing venue thanks to support by Sarasota County officials.

The vision to expand the lake at Nathan Benderson Park to accommodate a 2,000-meter rowing course and construct a park around it earned its first nod of approval July 14 when Sarasota County officials approved a master site plan for the project. But on Oct. 13, the project moved from being an idea to becoming a reality.

Commissioners voted to increase the county’s tourism tax by one-half cent, reserving 75% of that half-cent to fund the rowing project and the remaining quarter percent for tourism promotion. The tax, expected to generate about $18 million will be enough to pay for the first two phases of the project — the reconfiguration of the lake, as well as the construction of park amenities such as “adventure” parks, kayak and canoe launches, trails and more.

“This is one of those lifetime opportunities,” Commissioner Shannon Staub said. “We had so much positive input (about this project). Usually, something this big becomes a controversy. But this one — it was full-steam ahead. People really saw the (benefit).”

Community activist John Krotec, founder of the Fruitville 210 Community Alliance, agreed.

“It’ll give the county a public park amenity that’s rarely found anywhere on the planet,” he said. “Rowing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.”

The third phase of the project, which will include a grand boathouse and FISA towers, will be paid for by the private sector through sponsorships (naming rights) or other opportunities.

“We didn’t have a building (for the regattas we hosted) these past two years,” Staub said. “We put up a big, tent and it worked fine. But if we’re going to have something year-round, (we need something permanent).”

Officials expect to use the site not only for rowing but also for cross country and 5K races, weddings, concerts, dragon boat races and other events.

Although the facility is still years away from completion, it already is gaining attention. Rowing News magazine featured the future venue as its cover story in its September issue, and both the Sarasota and Manatee county visitors bureaus have pitched in to create brochures for the project and to purchase advertising.

“They see it as a true regional (project),” said Blackketter, the project manger from Benderson Development who has been overseeing the project. “There’s not another 2,000-meter course in Florida.”

The venue’s website, www.rowingsarasota.com, went online just this week.

Krotec noted the park facilities, when paired with nearby components such as the future University Town Center mega mall, a nearby preserve area, the Villages of Lakewood Ranch South mixed-use development and others, will be unmatched.

“We see this as a synergistic component unlike anywhere in the United States right now,” he said. “All of these projects can work together. We see this really as the beginning of something that’s going to be lucrative, not only as a quality of life (improvement), but also an economic driver this county has never seen.”

Benderson Development will start construction on Cattlemen Road in January, with construction lasting about 18 months. The company, as part of the agreement, has agreed to start construction on two hotels at its stalled University Town Center mega mall project before roadwork on Cattlemen is finished.

Sarasota County has hired Bob Whitford, the facilities manager and rowing and paddling coordinator for the Sacramento State Aquatics Center, to oversee the implementation of the design of the course and facilities, among other responsibilities.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

FACILITIES
Sarasota County officials expect the facility to draw thousands of visitors annually, but not just for rowing. Other events being considered for the facility include:

• Cross country running events
• Corporate rowing or adaptive rowing events
• Weddings
• 5K races
• Multi-purpose grandstand events
• Canoe and kayak races
• Dragon boats

WORLD TRAVELERS
Paul Blackketter, of Benderson Development, and Jason Puckett, sports manager for the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau, are heading to New Zealand Oct. 29 to watch and learn about hosting a world rowing championship as well as to disseminate information about the future course.