- December 20, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
SARASOTA — In 2009, Nathan Benderson Park hosted its first organized regatta competitions, drawing more than 10,000 spectators and generating $4.5 million of economic impact.
Now two years later, the site has become one of the premier rowing facilities in the nation and is on pace to become the only Class A international rowing venue in the United States.
By the end of the month, the International Sports Regatta Center at Nathan Benderson Park, comprising a 600-acre facility in north Sarasota County, will finally meet the International Federation of Rowing Association’s Class A specifications for a permanent regatta venue.
Previously 1,800 meters, the 400-acre lake will be expanded to 2,200 meters with the Cattlemen Road project, scheduled for completion in December 2012, providing necessary infrastructure and accessibility for the facility.
“It gives us great accessibility to the facility without going through neighborhood corridors,” said Paul Blackketter, Executive Director of Planning for Benderson Development Company. “Basically, we can feed all of the energy. It’s a community corridor instead of a neighborhood corridor, which is critical to the quality of life.”
The expansion of the 1.1-mile course to meet the international rowing standard of 1.25 miles makes Nathan Benderson Park the only venue in the country capable of hosting an international regatta.
In addition, the International Sports Regatta Center at Nathan Benderson Park also will be able to host a variety of other sporting events as well, including triathlons, cross country meets and the Ironman, among others.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the 2012 regatta spring season approaches, Benderson Development is preparing for the remaining three phases of its rowing project. The shaping of the lake and dredging operations to meet the FISA specifications (Phase I and II) will begin in May 2012 and will be completed in January 2013 in time for the 2013 season.
However, rowing only accounts for about 15% of what occurs at the center. In addition, Benderson plans to host between six and 12 triathlons a year among other events.
In addition to the lake work, plans call for a 90,000-square-foot, three-story community boathouse, a secondary boathouse for canoe and kayak rentals, grandstands and a finish-line tower.
Benderson also is in the process of building a butterfly garden, fitness station areas, a playground and trails.
The regatta island, trails and playground, which all are fully funded, are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013. Vertical construction of the community boathouse, starting towers and additional restrooms (Phase III) is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2014, with the goal of hosting the first national rowing event by 2015 and the world rowing championships in 2016, should the International Sports Regatta Center at Nathan Benderson Park win the bid.
Benderson and the county are lobbying the state for about $20 million in funding for the park. A nonprofit group, the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates has been formed to raise money and eventually will take over park operations.
Formed in July 2010, the board includes directors Carl Weinrich, John Cranor and Ron Shapo.
Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].
Click here to view a complete list of East County's "Delve into 12"
