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John McCarthy speaking with citizens at the public meeting

Public meeting participants

Sarasota World Class Rowing Venue

Nathan Benderson Park, located at 2500 Honore Ave., is a unique park which provides the public access to several lakes for non-motorized boating, fishing, bird-watching and related activities. The county purchased the site in the early 1990’s. Before that, the property had been an active shell excavation pit for road construction fill. Cooper Creek enters the east side of the large lake and exits at the northwest corner. Nathan Benderson Park is situated west of Interstate 75 and east of The Meadows residential community. The future North Cattlemen Road extension which is currently under construction will provide additional access to the park and its amenities.

One of a handful of sites in North America identified as having all of the natural attributes that make up a premiere rowing facility, Nathan Benderson Park began hosting organized regatta competitions in 2009. The Sarasota County Commission demonstrated its support for further development of the park into a state-of-the-art rowing facility with a financial commitment tied to Sarasota county’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT).

Numerous regattas and other large recreational events have been held at the park since 2009. The Local Regatta Organizing Committee, Sarasota Board of County Commissioners, Sarasota Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, private business’s and several hundred volunteers have collaborated to sharpen the focus on development of Sarasota’s future home of world-class rowing at Nathan Benderson Park. Visit the websites below for more information on rowing regattas:

• World Class Rowing at Nathan Benderson Park
• Rowing Regattas at Nathan Benderson Park

Project Development

Benderson and Sarasota County have partnered together to plan for future park improvements and have held several community workshops to solicit ideas for the future recreational opportunities at Nathan Benderson Park. A detailed master plan was developed and approved by the county commission in July of 2010. The park will balance community recreation needs and provide a venue for large specialty events. The world class recreational venue will also provide for community rowing (youth, adults and seniors), adaptive rowing (disabled veterans, youth/adults with mental and physical disabilities), corporate events, training and practice for junior and collegiate crews, local, regional, national and international regattas.  

• Sarasota County and Benderson Development hosted a public meeting on June 24, 2010 to present the Park Concept Plan and to receive public input.
• County staff and Benderson Development presented the park plan to the Parks Advisory and Recreation Council (PARC) on July 1, 2010 and to the Sarasota County Commission on July 14, 2010. The County Commission unanimously approved the plan and directed the staff to proceed with design/engineering and to seek additional input on financing options.
  • County Commission approved concept plan (July 14, 2010) 8 MG
  • Benderson Park Presentation (July 14, 2010) 2.75 MG
• On January, 25, 2011, Sarasota County entered into an agreement with Benderson Development to implement Phase 1 and 2 of the Nathan Benderson Park Nature Aquatic Center.
  • Benderson Park Construction Plan (Jan. 25)

Project Update
Benderson’s first task under their contract was to develop a preliminary design plan (PDP) for implementing design and construction of the project. The PDP is an evolution of the Park Concept Plan approved by the County in July of 2010. The PDP was approved by the County Commission on October 25, 2011. Following PDP approval, Benderson proceeded with the development of 30% Design Plans and their Guaranteed Maximum Price for completing the Phase I and II improvement within the County's $19.5 million allocation for the project.

Benderson has worked diligently with local community and international stakeholders to ensure the 30% Design includes all elements to make the Nathan Benderson Nature Aquatic Center (NBNAC) a FISA (the international governing body of the sport of rowing) certifiable rowing and sporting venue as well as a world class community park treasure.

The 30% Design Plans and Guaranteed Maximum Price were presented to and approved by the County Commission on March 14, 2012. The recorded Commission discussion can be viewed here and the approved 30% design plan can be viewed here.
The March 14, 2012 approval also included authorization to begin construction of the Park Island. That construction is underway. Benderson's submittal of 60% design plans is the next milestone for developing the NBNAC.

The county’s financial commitment to the project is $19.5 million of Tourist Development Funds for completion of Phases I and II of NBNAC as approved by the County Commission on March 14, 2012.

• Preliminary Design Plan (as approved by the county Commission 10/25/11)

Resources

North Cattlemen Road Improvement Project

  Rowing Regatta site
  About the “Future World-Class 2,000 Meter Rowing Facility"

 Video: "World Class Rowing Sarasota"
 Video of Nathan Benderson Park “2000 Meters by 2011”

  Map of Nathan Benderson Park
 Nathan Benderson Park Fact Sheet

If you would like to reserve open space for a special event or utilize the racecourse at Nathan Benderson Park, contact Bob Whitford, Parks and Recreation manager, at 941-861-5000.