Planned events Center and boathouse at Benderson Park gets $10 million boost

Funding for the planned Nathan Benderson Park boathouse and events center received a substantial boost with $10 million appropriated for the project by the state legislature.

Included in the state budget, which now must be approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the funds were announced Wednesday in a release by the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy.

The Conservancy plans to build a 100,000-square-foot complex, which will feature courts for basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and other indoor sports, along with a boathouse to enhance a facility already considered the top rowing venue in North America.

The event center also will support regional response operations to storms and will provide flexible community meeting space.

The capital campaign has a goal of $65 million and $43 million has been committed to the facility to date. That includes a $20 million commitment by Sarasota County and the $10 million appropriation by the state. The Benderson Family Foundation also has committed to paying 20% of the total construction costs.

The Conservancy release said the funding effort in the legislature was led by state senators Joe Gruters and Jim Boyd, and representatives Will Robinson, James Buchanan, Fiona McFarland, and Bill Conerly.

“Over the last 15 years, public investment, private partnership and community support have worked together to build Nathan Benderson Park into a venue that now serves local families, youth athletes, national events, and Olympic development programs while generating substantial regional economic impact,” said Bruce Patneaude, Chief Operating Officer of Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, in the release.

The Conservancy is aiming for a May 2028 completion date as the 2028 World Rowing Championships will be held in August 2028.

“This project reflects what can be accomplished when local and state leaders, private partners and the community work together around a shared vision,” Patneaude said in the release. “We’re grateful to the Florida Legislature and the local legislative delegation for the support and for helping to strengthen Nathan Benderson Park’s ability to serve the region for decades to come by enhancing opportunities for sports tourism, community programming and regional resiliency.”

Included in the project are eight full-size basketball courts (or 16 volleyball courts), concessions that include a full kitchen and food service area, multi-use space, boathouse facilities such as storage and support areas, weight rooms and fitness areas, boardroom and VIP space, restrooms, locker rooms, and support spaces, and IT infrastructure,