Siesta Key Public Beach opens in four days

Here's a sneak peak at the new pavilion and amenities.

  • By Jack Short
  • | 2:03 p.m. February 16, 2016
  • Siesta Key
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The two-year renovations to Siesta Key public beach will wrap this week and open to the public. The beach has remained open through the duration of the construction and moved in phases to avoid closing one of the county's most prominent tourist attractions. 

Jon F. Swift Construction renovated or replaced several older structures and added new ones as well, such as the new restroom and concession at the southeast end of the park. 

Kimley-Horn & Associates Senior Vice President Bill Waddill, whose firm spent five years designing the renovations, said the plans were crafted to create beach facilities that certain themes they felt represented Siesta Beach such as waves, which influenced the undulating wall along the promenade, and blue, green and white throughout the park. 

Designers preserved the original pavilion, designed by Sarasota School architect Tim Seibert in the 50s and built in 1958, and moved concessions to the same structure as the new lifeguard and sheriff's offices. According to Jerry Sparkman of Sweet Sparkman architects, much of the overgrown greenspace in front of the original pavilion was reinstated, opening up the view of the beach. 

Wadill said the project was carried out with nods to the history of the beach. Approximately a dozen coconut palms, some of the few nonnative plants used in the design, adorn the preserved pavilion area because the same kind of tree was originally planted there. 

Lifeguard Lt. Scott "Scooter" Ruberg was happy to see that a Mahogany tree, which has stood near the pavilion since the 1970s when it was planted in memory of a lifeguard who died, still stands. 

The new concession and restrooms facility, with a 20-foot-high deck looking out over the beach.
The new concession and restrooms facility, with a 20-foot-high deck looking out over the beach.
A new playground at the southeast end of the park.
A new playground at the southeast end of the park.
The Sea Turtle pavilion, which replaced an old structure that stood in the same spot, adding an ADA compliant ramp for expanded access.
The Sea Turtle pavilion, which replaced an old structure that stood in the same spot, adding an ADA compliant ramp for expanded access.
A new, concrete picnic shelter.
A new, concrete picnic shelter.
This building will house the Siesta offices of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota County Lifeguards, and a concession.
This building will house the Siesta offices of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota County Lifeguards, and a concession.
The new concession underneath the sheriff and lifeguard offices.
The new concession underneath the sheriff and lifeguard offices.
a 40-plus-year-old Mahogany tree planted in memory of a former lifeguard, Jeff Muller.
a 40-plus-year-old Mahogany tree planted in memory of a former lifeguard, Jeff Muller.
Jerry Sparkman, of Sweet Sparkman Architects, describes changes to the historic pavilion area, as well as what was preserved.
Jerry Sparkman, of Sweet Sparkman Architects, describes changes to the historic pavilion area, as well as what was preserved.
A view from beneath the historic, Tim Seibert designed, pavilion, originally built in 1958.
A view from beneath the historic, Tim Seibert designed, pavilion, originally built in 1958.
A view of the new first aid room, allowing easier access for emergency vehicles.
A view of the new first aid room, allowing easier access for emergency vehicles.
Lt. Scott Ruberg describes the improved access for first aid vehicles to the first aid facilities.
Lt. Scott Ruberg describes the improved access for first aid vehicles to the first aid facilities.
A view of the new office for sheriff's deputies.
A view of the new office for sheriff's deputies.
The historic pavilion in the distance, whose physical connection to the pavilion in the foreground allowed the new offices to be built at grade. The original pavilion is designated historic and so did not have to meet elevation requirements.
The historic pavilion in the distance, whose physical connection to the pavilion in the foreground allowed the new offices to be built at grade. The original pavilion is designated historic and so did not have to meet elevation requirements.
The open spaces between the historic pavilion and the beach, formerly covered by overgrown vegetation.
The open spaces between the historic pavilion and the beach, formerly covered by overgrown vegetation.
The new lifeguard offices.
The new lifeguard offices.
Bill Waddill of Kimley Horn, describes how the new park was designed.
Bill Waddill of Kimley Horn, describes how the new park was designed.
The sheriff's office with a panoramic view of the new parking lot.
The sheriff's office with a panoramic view of the new parking lot.
The historic pavilion, built in 1958 for $55,000.
The historic pavilion, built in 1958 for $55,000.
New picnic shelters at the northwest end of the park. They replaced wooden picnic shelters.
New picnic shelters at the northwest end of the park. They replaced wooden picnic shelters.
A pavilion built at the northwest end of the park, to replace a small viewing platform.
A pavilion built at the northwest end of the park, to replace a small viewing platform.
Precast, concrete picnic shelters added to the northwest end of the park.
Precast, concrete picnic shelters added to the northwest end of the park.

 

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