Will Sarasota Taxpayers give Benderson another Bail-Out?

Sarasota citizens Pat Rounds and Bill Zoller have been tracking the development and funding of the Benderson Rowing Park since 2013. Below is an email circulated by Rounds regarding the County's reported intention to consider giving Benderson another $20 million in tax dollars:

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May 8, 2022

Why is the County Commission considering a $20 million “bail-out” for SANCA and Benderson Park Foundation? 

Years ago, both organizations pledged to raise private millions to build a permanent boat house, grandstands and restrooms at Benderson Rowing Park.They never delivered on their promises.  

 

If you think this bail-out proposal is totally irresponsible, please share your views with the County Commission:

mmoran@scgov.net

cziegler@scgov.net

ncdetert@scgov.net

amaio@scgov.net

rcutsinger@scgov.net

commissioners@scgov.net

 

Please forward this message to others who value fiscal responsibility. See details below:

 

On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, the Sarasota County Commission will consider allocating another $20 million to complete the “World Class” Benderson Rowing Park promised in 2013 to be funded through a “public/private” partnership. 

While Sarasota County approved $19.5 public million in 2013 for park infrastructure in plans to host the 2017 World Rowing Championships, the private millions pledged for a permanent boat house, grandstands and restrooms have never materialized. This failure to deliver has sparked public concern for years.

 

More from the Sarasota News Leader

 

Now some officials are returning to the public trough to fill the massive funding chasm created when the County Commission apparently failed to demand a binding commitment from private partners at the time this huge venture was initiated. Sarasota County should not approve any more public funding—regardless of the source.  Nine years ago, the County approved $19.5 million through a bonding provision in the County Charter, using Tourist Development Tax (TDT). It’s past time for SANCA and Benderson Park Foundation to deliver on the private millions promised years ago, but not delivered.  Hollow private funding pledges should be denounced, not minimized and rewarded with more public millions.  

 

Corroborating documentation: 

• Attached is a copy of the 2013 County Press Release announcing the 2017 World Rowing Championships at Benderson Rowing Park. SANCA would raise private funds for Phase III permanent structures (boat house, grandstands and restrooms) in time for the 2017 World Rowing Championships (WRC). The boathouse and grandstands were not built, so to avoid an international embarrassment---the State Legislature approved an extra $5 million to rent temporary facilities (bleachers, tents/showers for rowers, portable toilets, etc.) for the WRC.  

 

From the 2013 County Press Release:

“...More than $40 million in public and private-sector funds have been committed to help transform a former borrow pit into Nathan Benderson Park, the premier rowing venue in North America, capable of hosting an Olympic-caliber event. Sarasota County's investment, $19.5 million, comes from a Tourist Development Tax (TDT), which is paid by visitors to the area. Those funds have paid for Phase I (dredge and fill) and Phase II (installation of park amenities, hardscaping and landscaping). Phase III of the project, construction of a state-of-the-art boathouse, timing towers, grandstands and other amenities, will be funded by SANCA and corporate support...”

 

• See 2017 ABC/Tampa investigation on the rowing park. 

• Note the grandiose aerial vision of the rowing complex and how a SANCA board member appeals for more public funds to match an uncorroborated claim of private millions raised to finish the park.  Nothing has changed---Hollow promises of private funding followed by requests for more public funding. 
• 
  

           Rowing Park Controversy (ABC/Tampa investigation on Youtube)

 

     Is there a conflict with the Sarasota County Charter?

• Note portion of County Charter, Section 5.2D (Bonding Limitation)

...Any issuance of such notes, bonds, certificates of participation or other instrument of indebtedness in a principal amount exceeding that fiscal year's bonding limitation must have prior approval by majority vote at a referendum specifically authorizing the issuance of such an instrument of indebtedness in excess of that year's bonding limitation...The County may not avoid the requirements hereof by issuing or causing to be issued notes, bonds, certificates of participation or other instruments of indebtedness which reflect a single, simultaneous or concurrent undertaking but which have been divided in such fashion so as to avoid the limitations as herein set forth. (Section 5.2 Amended 11/6/1984, 11/8/1994, 3/14/2000, and 9/10/2002, and Renumbered 8/31/2004.)”

           In 2013, the County Commission approved the maximum bonding allowed to pay for rowing park infrastructure without triggering a county-wide referendum. 

         Doesn't the County Charter prohibit issuing multiple bonds for the same project without holding a public referendum?    

Pat Rounds

 

Additional background articles:

2013—Herald Tribune:  $20 million in private donations needed to complete rowing park.

“...They need $20 million from private donors to finish the complex and deliver on the promise of a truly exceptional sports venue, a huge task to complete before 2017, when backers of the project hope to host rowing's greatest competition outside the Olympics, the world championships.

All of the key structures needed to define the rowing venue as a world-class attraction — from the finish line tower to timing huts, grandstands and a boathouse — must be financed through private donations.

Some of those structures are essential to hosting the rowing championships. Ideally, the entire project would be built out in time for the event.

Yet no money has been raised and the two-year-old nonprofit handling fundraising already has reshuffled board members.

2015—Herald Tribune: Foundation raises funds for Nathan Benderson Park

“....A new foundation headed by community and political leaders has raised $3.5 million for Nathan Benderson Park and hopes to raise at least $11 million in private donations for the emerging international rowing venue over the next 12 months.

The Nathan Benderson Park Foundation, headed by Randy Benderson of the Manatee County-based real estate firm, aims to be the fundraising arm that will draw the private financial support needed to complete the rowing facility's major structures. The nonprofit organization, which is separate from the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates — another nonprofit that is responsible for the park operations — will continue to raise donations to help build towers at the start and finish lines, a boathouse and several other buildings at the park..”

Benderson Rowing Park gets cut in funding

Courtesy of the Sarasota News Leader

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County Commission cuts SANCA’s 10-year funding request to three and emphasizes need for better outreach to the public

May 23, 2019 by Rachel Brown Hackney, Editor & Publisher

New board chair and SANCA CEO cite economic impact of Benderson Park events

The Finish Tower has become the key landmark at Benderson Park. File photo

The new chair of the board of directors of the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA), which manages Sarasota County’s Nathan Benderson Park, came before the County Commission on May 17 with figurative hat in hand.

Ronald Shapo asked for a 10-year funding commitment, stressing that that would give SANCA better standing as it seeks private financial support for the park.

The county commissioners agreed unanimously to three years, on a motion by Commissioner Alan Maio, and emphasized to Shapo the need for SANCA to do a better job of marketing the park to the public. (Commissioner Nancy Detert was absent from the discussion and vote.)

Nicole Rissler, director of the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR) told the commission during its May 17 budget workshop that her staff already had built into its Fiscal Year 2020 budget a request of $1,189,000 for SANCA. Rissler also explained that, after months of analysis, staff had determined that, based on SANCA’s budget for the current fiscal year, it would be more expensive for her staff to manage the park.

The SANCA FY19 budget, she noted, is $2,102,595. If PRNR employees were handling all the work, it would cost at least $2,304,689, Rissler said. That figure did not include expenses associated with events or the necessity of one-time payments for additional county vehicles for staff, she added.

This slide offers information about Benderson Park’s impact on the local economy. Image courtesy Sarasota County

Last year, the commission agreed to give SANCA $858,353 in additional funding for the 2019 fiscal year. During a June 20, 2018 budget workshop, they also suggested that their staff and SANCA representatives consider a host of possibilities for generating extra revenue — from T-shirt sales to charging more for parking during events to dining options.

On May 17, Shapo said the SANCA board members’ top commitment to the commission is to focus on marketing. They recognize, he continued, that the nonprofit has not done an adequate job of publicizing SANCA’s role with Benderson Park.

Moreover, Shapo told the commissioners, the SANCA board is committed to doing a better job of communicating with them.

Chair Charles Hines pointed out that he has stressed over the past year the need for SANCA to “take the time and educate our community” about why SANCA exists.

As he has spoken with legislators in Tallahassee, Hines continued, he has had to explain to them what SANCA does.

“Some people still think it’s Randy Benderson’s for-profit entity,” Hines said of the president of Benderson Development Co.

And although Shapo talked of the recent expansion of the SANCA board, Hines also suggested even greater local representation among the members. “We have the two premier rowing clubs in our community that are probably the envy of the entire country.”

A slide offers a sampling of events at Benderson Park. Image courtesy Sarasota County

As Rissler noted earlier, the park was renamed Nathan Benderson Park in 2007 “after a generous donation by the Benderson Family.” Nathan Benderson, who established Benderson Development Co., was Randy Benderson’s father.

As the first commissioner to respond to the SANCA funding request, Maio explained that he and his family “have an extreme fondness for Nathan Benderson Park.”

Maio related a couple of anecdotes to underscore that statement.

Then he was blunt with Shapo: “I’m not going to commit to 10 years. I think that our staff has already supported your first year,” Maio continued, referring to Rissler’s comment about the funding for 2020.

“I don’t feel comfortable to committing further boards to this,” Maio added, noting also that he was just re-elected in November 2018, so he would be on the board through November 2022 — unless, he joked, he drowned at Benderson Park.

Shapo said that the current contract between SANCA and the county already makes it clear that the county’s funding level for the nonprofit is tied to the availability of funds. He understood, Shapo said, that one commission cannot legally bind future commissions to funding commitments.

“What I’m proposing for my one vote,” Maio responded, “you take something less than 10 years,” perhaps three. “I think it would be better at that point to renegotiate. … You don’t want the public relations of us ending a contract with you. I offered the three years as a very amicable way to move this forward after expressing my love for Nathan Benderson Park, a love that not 100% of our citizens, as you know, have.”

“And I appreciate the three years,” Shapo said, though he added that he would toss out the idea of five years as a compromise.

These are the members of the SANCA board. Image courtesy Sarasota County

Commissioner Michael Moran talked of the “very successful” public/private partnership between Sarasota County and SANCA. Still, Moran continued, “This is where we represent the taxpayer dollars.”

Commissioner Christian Ziegler concurred on the latter point, “We’ve got to be good stewards of the tax dollars.”

Moran told Shapo that he believes SANCA needs to work harder to realize the full potential of the 600-acre park. “This is a massive facility that needs to be maximized,” Moran said, calling for a faster pace for entrepreneurial sales and marketing efforts.

He asked Shapo if the SANCA board takes a monthly look at sales projections and revenue. What pressure is the board putting on staff in regard to improved sales and marketing, Moran asked.

“I think the pressure is being put on by ourselves,” Shapo replied, reprising his earlier comment that better marketing is the board’s top priority going forward.

Shapo then talked of his faith in the impact one new board member will have on the marketing initiatives. Shapo mentioned Randy Mallitz, president of the U.S. division and CEO of the Asia division of EAR Specialty Composites, which one of SANCA’s slides identified as a “global technology company.”

Shapo added, “I think he’s going to be an incredible asset.”

Moran once again asked Shapo if the SANCA board members each month talk about revenue generation.

Shapo responded that they review and discuss their success — or lack thereof — every month in regard to fundraising and income-producing goals. “We will be doing that, I believe, at an increasing level.”

For example, Shapo continued, the Finish Tower on the property has been host to 250 events. “But there’s the potential to do many, many more.”

Past, present and future

These May 17 slides provide a history of Benderson Park. Image courtesy Sarasota County

During her opening remarks on May 17, Rissler, the PRNR director, pointed out that numerous events do take place at Benderson Park each year. “We also look at this as a significant regional park for our system,” with “thousands of people very day” using it.

Shapo quickly put the focus on numbers. For the past five years, he said — from 2014 through 2018 — Visit Sarasota County has estimated that the total economic impact of the park on the county was $142,138,495. He stressed that that was an average of more than $28 million per year.

It hosted 14 major national and international events during that period, including the 2017 World Rowing Championships, and it will be the site in late July of the Under 23s World Rowing Championships. SANCA is projecting 40 nations will participate in the latter event, generating 5,000 room nights during a time of year Shapo called the “slow season” for tourism.

Stephen Rodriguez, president and CEO of SANCA, noted that, among upcoming event commitments, the Florida Scholastic Rowing Association plans to hold both its Sculling and Sweeps championships at the park through 2021. Each of those events, he said, brings in about 9,000 attendees.

Even more important, Rodriguez continued, the park will host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Rowing Trials. USRowing is in discussions with NBC about televising those competitions, Rodriguez added.

Moreover, “The National Rowing Foundation is prepared to commit to make Sarasota the home of the National Rowing Hall of Fame and Museum,” Rodriguez said. The permanent home for the memorabilia would be the Aquatic Nature Community Center, or boathouse. In the meantime, he noted, one floor of the Finish Tower would be dedicated to changing displays featuring items in the Hall of Fame’s collection.

(Later, Shapo framed the Hall of Fame discussion in a slightly different way, saying, “[It] is seriously considering coming here.”

Rodriguez noted, “Rowing [was] the first collegiate sport in the U.S.”

In 2018 alone, Shapo continued, 475,000 local residents used the park.

This slide offers more figures about the park’s impact on the economy. Image courtesy Sarasota County

He also pointed to the board’s plans for the next major improvement to be the Aquatic Center, which generally has been referred to as the “boathouse.”

That facility was touted for years by Benderson Park representatives as the key means of making the park financially self-sustaining, as it not only would be a storage facility for rowing equipment for park users but also a place that could be rented for many types of functions.

The SANCA board has $4 million in commitments as matching funds for the project, Shapo told the commissioners.

Already, he continued, his board is searching for a full-time employee whose job it will be to raise private money for the park. Extensive public outreach will be needed, he said, to persuade regional and national companies of the benefit of being affiliated with the complex.

The county money the board was seeking for 10 additional years, he emphasized, would go only toward park maintenance and operations.

Shapo asked the commissioners to keep in mind “this was a borrow pit. It is nothing short of amazing” that it has undergone such a transformation, he added.

“I want this to be our Central Park,” Maio told Shapo as the discussion neared its end. He suggested Shapo and his colleagues on the SANCA board take the next three years of county funding support to achieve that vision. Then the commission could consider funding for the nonprofit for another five years, Maio said.

Courtesy of the Sarasota News Leader

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Antunes: Bayfront Park -- Another Big Promise?

Cathy Antunes's blog, TheDetail.net, is the intelligent reader's guide to Sarasota politics.

This column, entitled Bayfront 20Money, appeared in The Detail 3.13.19:

When it comes to achieving a big goal, good intentions are not enough. Commitment is essential. Commitment is what separates doers from dreamers. Planning for the City of Sarasota’s future Bayfront Park—the public’s 53 waterfront acres including the greening of the Van Wezel parking lot—has now moved beyond the “vision” stage into the “make it happen” stage.

Historically, this is where big plans in Sarasota can go very wrong.

We’ve seen big promises when it comes to public-private partnerships before.

The Benderson Rowing Park nonprofit, SANCA (Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates), said they would raise $22 million to construct a boathouse, grandstand and finish tower in time for the 2017 World Rowing Championships at the rowing park. Instead of SANCA raising that $22 million, a second nonprofit, the Benderson Foundation, funded the $5 million finish tower just in time for the event. The rowing p ark still lacks a boathouse and grandstand.

Public money—over $50 million—has been the main source for the rowing park’s construction. Sarasota County is the ongoing source of funds for park maintenance. SANCA has not brought the funding it promised.

In 2009, as part of their stadium deal, the Orioles promised to raise $10 million to construct a Cal Ripken Youth Academy out at Twin Lakes Park. This was the sweetener, the game-changing project that was going to “re-invent spring training.” Kids playing with the pros, a great economic engine that would fuel our local economy! Today there is no Cal Ripken Youth Academy. Taxpayers funded the stadium but didn’t get the baseball academy they were promised in return.

Tangible commitments are SMART—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Both the rowing park and Cal Ripken Youth Academy were promises, not commitments. The associated contracts between the County a nd SANCA, and between the County and the Orioles were effective at compelling the County to spend public money, but worthless regarding ensuring the promised private sector financial support.

Enter the Bayfront Park Conservancy agreement.

Everyone agrees a 53-acre bayfront park is a great idea. The park vision includes a softened shoreline, transformation of the Van Wezel parking lot into green space and a new performing arts hall. Estimates for the cost of the envisioned Bayfront Park are up to $500 million.  The contract currently being hammered out between the BPC and the City of Sarasota should answer a fundamental question: Why does the City need the BPC? What tangible value does the conservancy bring to the table? Among other problems, there is no dollar amount specified that the BPC will raise and no associated deadline.

Funding the ongoing costs of operation and maintenance of this new park will be critical to its financial sustainability and the financial health of the City of Sarasota. The annual operations and maintenance costs for the proposed park has been estimated at $5 million to $6 million. The draft agreement says the BPC will develop an operating and maintenance plan for each phase of the park, but there is no requirement that the BPC plan actually be successful.

This park plan began with an emphasis on private money. However, it has become clear that the lion’s share of the project financing will come from public coffers. The current contract obligates the City financially, but fails to spell out the financial commitment of the private sector. Come on people. We’ve been down this road before. Show us the money

The more specific the contract is about the City’s obligations, and the more vague the contract is about the conservancy’s obligations, the more reason there is to for City residents to be concerned.  The City Commission must get this right.

Cathy Antunes is host of The Detail on WSLR. 

"Not one more public nickel": Pat Rounds seeks Public Info on Benderson Costs

To the Sarasota County Commission, Nathan Benderson Park Foundation, and SANCA:

On January 18, 2017, Michael Bennett made an appeal to the local state legislative delegation on behalf of the Nathan Benderson Park Foundation for an additional $5 million in state funding for a permanent boat house at Benderson Rowing Park---this handsome sum on top of an initial $10 million in state grants for rowing park Phase I/II infrastructure, and another $2.5 million granted last year. In all, well over $40 public millions have been invested in this park for infrastructure, operations/management, and event hosting expenses for the World Rowing Championships (WRC) this fall.  This total includes over $20 million from Sarasota County. 

According to a Sarasota County press release (Sept, 2013): 

"...Phase III of the project, construction of a state-of-the-art boathouse, timing towers, grandstands and other amenities, will be funded by SANCA and corporate support..." 

Estimated costs of Phase III construction have been up to $22 million. But despite nearly two years of submitting public information requests to Sarasota County, Benderson Park Foundation and SANCA for status updates on private/corporate funding for Phase III structures, the sole document provided has been the attached "Aug 4 email" - a 2015 Benderson Foundation commitment to fund the finish tower (estimated to cost about $5 million). 

So imagine my surprise to see Mr. Michael Bennett on video last month telling local state legislators that $15 million has been raised in "private money" for Benderson Rowing Park. For your reference, a link to the video of the Legislative Priorities Input Session held on January 18, 2017 in the chambers of the Sarasota County Commission is at the end of this message. 

Mr. Bennett appears at 28:40 on the tape, and states: 

'....When you look at the money that we've gotten from the State of Florida, from Sarasota County and Manatee County over the years...$5 million will complete our boathouse.  We have raised about $15 million in private money, and through the foundation we will continue to fund it.....'

Really?  How is it that Mr. Bennett's recent appeal for more state funding divulges private funding figures that haven't been disclosed after months of public info requests? According to the attached 2013 Bi-County WRC Reimbursement Agreement (3Q: Public Records/Open Meetings), SANCA and Sarasota County agreed to comply with F.S.119.  Doesn't adherence to F.S.119 require some transparency?

Rowing Park March 21, 2017

Requests for Public Information:

• Please provide evidence that $15 million has been raised in "private money" for Benderson Rowing Park. 
• Please indicate where/how this $15 million has been spent or allocated---beyond funding of the finish tower.  
• Please indicate the significance of the hand-scribbled statement made on Page 23 of the 2013 Bi-County WRC Reimbursement Agreement--a page from a WRC bid questionnaire listing the provisional budget for capital improvements (including a boat house): 

"SANCA and Benderson Development CCC shall have no obligation for these capital improvements."  

If $15 million in "private money" has been raised, Benderson Rowing Park shouldn't need another $5 million in state grants for a boat house. Simple math would suggest that beyond the $5 million spent on the finish tower, there should be another $10 million in "private money" available to fund a permanent boat house and maybe even permanent grandstands.  (Mr. Bennett said that $5 million would complete the boat house, after all.)

SANCA/corporate support should fund Phase III structures as promoted over three years ago.  Not one more public nickel should be granted for this venue until that happens. The State of Florida, Sarasota County and Manatee County have contributed more than their share to this "public/private partnership".  

HB 2161 has recently been introduced in the FL House to fund another $5 million for a boat house at Benderson Rowing Park.  (Also see below.) Since $15 million has been raised in "private money," there is no reason why "public money" should fund a boat house, grandstands or anything else. 

Also, please forward this message to officials at Nathan Benderson Park Foundation, as their newly updated website contains no e-Mail addresses. Speaking of which, the website has new renderings of the future boathouse. The text printed under a previous boathouse rendering has been removed.  http://www.nbpfoundation.com/Home/Photos#

  

See text under the website's former boathouse rendering. Note the timetable and the link between boathouse construction and the World Rowing Championships:   

The Boathouse, also designed by Guy Peterson, will be located on the south end of Regatta Island, opening out into the widest expanse of Nathan Benderson Park Lake. It will consist of two stories. The Boathouse will feature a variety of rowing and boating bays, supplemented by fitness facilities, dressing rooms, offices and more. The boathouse will commence construction in late 2015 and will be opened prior to the World Rowing Championships in 2017.

Please attach this public information request to any official responses.

Respectfully,

Pat Rounds
Sarasota, FL

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Letter to County Administrator Tom Harmer from Todd M. Mathes:

HB2161 

F L O R I D A H O U S E  O F  R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 

1An act relating to the Appropriations Project titled 2 Nathan Benderson Community Park Boathouse 3 Construction; providing an appropriation; providing an 4 effective date.

5

6 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 7

8Section 1. Nathan Benderson Community Park Boathouse 9 Construction is an Appropriations Project as defined in The 10 Rules of The Florida House of Representatives and is described 11 in Appropriations Project Request 247, herein incorporated by 12 reference. 13
Section 2. For fiscal year 2017-2018 the nonrecurring sum 14 of $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated to 15 the Department of Economic Opportunity to fund the Nathan 16 Benderson Community Park Boathouse Construction as described in 17 Appropriations Project Request 247. Notwithstanding any law to 18 the contrary, there shall be no recurring funding provided for 19 this Appropriations Project. 20
Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.

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For more history of the Benderson Rowing Park, see this piece from the Herald Tribune, Oct. 7, 2015.

A citizen asks . . . Sarasota County and the Benderson Agreement

This request to Sarasota County for detailed information regarding commitments and funding for the rowing facility at Nathan Benderson Park is from a citizen, Pat Rounds:

To the Sarasota County Commission, SANCA and Benderson Foundation Officials: 

According to the $5+ million World Rowing Championships (WRC)/Bi-County Reimbursement Agreement signed in 2013, parties to the agreement, including SANCA, must comply with public meetings/open records law (See attached, Sect 3Q). SANCA is also required to provide quarterly updates on fund-raising for capital projects to the WRC Events Committee (See attached Sect. 3M--Fundraising). Requests for details about the time/place of WRC Events Committee meetings have gone unanswered.

In the last two years, I have requested updates from Sarasota County, SANCA (Paul Blackketter) and/or Benderson Corp. (Todd Mathes) regarding private/corporate funding for the construction of Phase III structures/Capital Projects at Benderson Rowing Park (e.g., state-of-the-art finish tower, boat house, grandstands, and other amenities). These structures were noted in a Sarasota County press release in early September, 2013 after Benderson Rowing Park was selected to host the 2017 WRC. (See statement from press release* at the end of this message.)

Other than a copy of an e-mail message (See attached Aug 4 email/2015) containing a pledge of funding for the finish tower, no Phase III/Capital Projects funding data have been provided. In response to my last public info request, I was told that SANCA officials would be presenting an update at a BoCC Meeting in late October, 2016.

Below is a link to the video of the BoCC Meeting on 10/25/16. Item #24 is a presentation by Messrs. Robinson and Sullivan of SANCA:

http://sarasotacounty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=41&clip_id=3527&meta_id=401582

While various park-related issues were discussed, there was no mention about the status of private/corporate funding for Phase III structures. Please indicate where the Phase III fund-raising update is on the video tape.

In the 2013 bid package presented to the FISA/WRC site selection committee, an aerial-view graphic was shown depicting the rowing park which included a boat house projected to cost about $10 million. (See schematic below.) Over $40 public millions have been invested in ongoing park operations/management, WRC event prep, and FISA-approved infrastructure (Phases I/II) at Benderson Rowing Park in advance of the 2017 WRC (including a man-made regatta island).

A public/private partnership is only successful if both partners meet their obligations as pledged. The costs of Phase III structures have been estimated at up to $22 million. Thousands of international rowers and visitors are expected to participate and/or attend the WRC this fall. They expect and deserve to view the WRC at a premier rowing venue.

Nearly a year ago, SANCA Board Chair Bill Robinson noted the following in the Herald Tribune:

".....The finish tower project is estimated to be ready for use by the fall. The planning for the multi-purpose boat house is underway...."

Below, note the statement about the boathouse on the Nathan Benderson Park Foundation website:

The Boathouse, also designed by Guy Peterson, will be located on the south end of Regatta Island, opening out into the widest expanse of Nathan Benderson Park Lake. It will consist of two stories. The Boathouse will feature a variety of rowing and boating bays, supplemented by fitness facilities, dressing rooms, offices and more. The boathouse will commence construction in late 2015 and will be opened prior to the World Rowing Championships in 2017.

As of today, the finish tower is still under construction. There is no boat house, and the rickety grandstands seat about 150 spectators. (See photo below.) Any notion that temporary boat storage tents, grandstands, and rower changing rooms/shower facilities should suffice at a "world-class" venue chosen to host the prestigious World Rowing Championships is unacceptable. Not another nickel in public funding should be used or approved for Phase III structures.

Requests for information: 

• How much private/corporate funding has been raised to complete the world-class structures depicted to win the bid to host the 2017 World Rowing Championships? 
• When and where are the WRC Events Committee meetings held? Over $5 million in public revenue is being spent to host this event. Open meetings and public records statutes apply to this project and local residents should have a front row seat as plans are finalized for this international competition. 
• Please provide evidence that FISA awarded the 2017 WRC to Benderson Rowing Park with the understanding that a permanent boathouse would be optional. Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the other venue competing for the 2017 WRC, already had a fully equipped rowing facility with permanent structures when a venue was selected in 2013. At the bottom of this message, note the boat house requirements for a major international rowing event listed in the 2010 FISA Manual**, Section B.7, starting on Page 100. A copy of the FISA Manual is available upon request. 
• Please explain the meaning of the following statement below. It appears on P.23 in the Appendix of the attached Bi-County/SANCA WRC Reimbursement Agreement scribbled under the list of capital improvements, e.g, finish tower, boathouse, etc.: 

"SANCA and Benderson Development CCC shall have no obligation for these capital improvements."

It’s incomprehensible how a bid to host a major international rowing event could be submitted apparently without a binding agreement between local parties to deliver the requisite funding to complete the structures and improvements presented to the FISA/WRC site selection committee, the media, local residents, and the rowing world before the event. If Phase III funding goals have not been met, the private sector needs to step up now and finance the permanent structures depicted in the WRC bid presented by SANCA over three and a half years ago.

I hope to hear good news that funding goals have been met to construct a permanent boat house and grandstands in time for the 2017 WRC.

Your prompt response is appreciated.

Pat Rounds
District 1
Sarasota, FL 34235

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*From a Sarasota County Press Release posted after FISA chose Benderson Rowing Park to host the 2017 WRC (Sept. 2, 2013):

"....More than $40 million in public and private-sector funds have been committed to help transform a former borrow pit into Nathan Benderson Park, the premier rowing venue in North America, capable of hosting an Olympic-caliber event. Sarasota County's investment, $19.5 million, comes from a Tourist Development Tax (TDT), which is paid by visitors to the area. Those funds have paid for Phase I (dredge and fill) and Phase II (installation of park amenities, hardscaping and landscaping). Phase III of the project, construction of a state-of-the-art boathouse, timing towers, grandstands and other amenities, will be funded by SANCA and corporate support..."

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**From the FISA Manual, 2010, starting on P.100:

B.7. boathouse area - Team Facilities and Services
B.7.1. boathouse area »» Planning
• Permanent rowing venues are usually developed with at least basic permanent boat storage infrastructure.
• If canoeing is developed (or might be in the future), then the needs for both canoeing and rowing have to be accommodated.
• For major rowing events, much more extensive boat storage facilities need to be provided.
• The required space for the entire boathouse area (permanent and temporary) for a major rowing event is approximately 10,000m2.
• There should be adequate covered areas in and around the boathouse area for the Competitors to shelter in the event of rain.
• Olympic Games - in the preparation period before the rowing regatta and during the Olympic Games, separate boathouse facilities have to be provided for canoeing and rowing.
• A large, general storage area must be provided, at least 120m2.
• A high standard of security must be provided during the regatta events.
• A number of water supply points, clearly marked, should be provided for the Competitors where they can get safe and potable water for their water bottles and other larger containers.
• All Competitors’ areas must be clearly marked as non-smoking areas.
• When choosing the location of the permanent boathouse facilities the following conditions should be considered:
-- It is essential that there should be an easy and comfortable access to the boat storage area for the loading, unloading and movement of the boat trailers.
-- The terrain should be flat, or with a slope if possible of no more than 10°.
-- The terrain shouldn’t be slippery or if covered with gravel it should be well stamped. It is important that the ground conditions can remain usable even in heavy rain.
-- Provisions to be made for the facilities to be used by adaptive rowers.

Update on SANCA/Benderson -- from the News Leader

Excerpts from the News Leader:

September the earliest SANCA representatives can begin regular presentations to County Commission

July 21, 2016 by Rachel Brown Hackney, Editor & Publisher

In May, the county administrator said the updates on the 2017 World Rowing Championships would begin June 8

Rowers compete during the 2013 USRowing Masters Championships at Benderson Park. File photo

As the Sarasota County commissioners prepared to begin their approximately month-long summer break at the end of last week, Commissioner Carolyn Mason took the opportunity to reprise a matter she had raised in May: The board should be hearing regular updates from the two key people heading up the preparations for the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

She brought up the issue during the board members’ reports on July 12, calling it “one little burning issue.” Referring to a top official of the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA), she told her colleagues, “There are some things that … I need to hear from that board president.”

SANCA manages the events at Nathan Benderson Park, the county-owned facility where the 2017 international event will be held Sept. 23-30.

. . .

The latest from Scerba

Meredith Scerba. File photo

The June update from Scerba reported that the SANCA board had formally approved the World Rowing Championships budget of $9.7 million and that “meetings with prospective sponsors & local foundations are underway.”

In May, Scerba told the commission the revised budget was $9.3 million, but she emphasized that no additional money was expected from Sarasota County or Manatee County, with each already having committed $2.78 million from Tourist Development Tax revenue.

On Sept. 23, she continued, a ceremony at Nathan Benderson Park will feature the unveiling of public art “that will incorporate a Countdown Clock for the [2017] event.” That artwork will be a permanent installation “as a legacy of the games.” After the event, the memo says, “the clock will be replaced with a plaque.”

The memo added that Harmer “will see the final design options before submission for approval.”

A local artist had been commissioned to do the work, the memo noted.

Furthermore, the update says that the World Rowing Championships co-chairs have been named. They are Rod Hershberger, chair and CEO of PGT Industries, representing Sarasota County; and Ed Chiles, CEO of The Chiles Group, for Manatee County.

The memo ended with the note: “Monthly Updates to the [County Commission] will begin in September.”

A contract amendment

Carolyn Brown. News Leader photo

In a related matter, the County Commission on July 12 unanimously approved increasing its annual reimbursement to SANCA from $200,000 to $254,500 for routine park maintenance.

That action came as part of the board’s approval of its Consent Agenda of routine business items.

A July 12 memo from Brown, the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department director, explained that in March 2014, SANCA and the county entered into a licensing and operating agreement to give SANCA full authority to host events at Nathan Benderson Park and to maintain the facilities.

Since then, Brown continued in the memo, “maintenance of [the park] has proven to be more costly than anticipated” — especially in terms of dealing with invasive vegetation — so SANCA requested the increase. On July 14, 2015, the board voted to give SANCA an extra $54,500, the memo notes. The amendment before the board on July 12 “provides additional funding in the approved amount beginning October 1, 2015 and continuing through the term of the Agreement,” the memo says. The original agreement says the term will end on Sept. 30, 2019; however, it can be extended another 10 years beyond that date.

...

Paul Blackketter. File photo

Finally, the amendment “includes language regarding employee and representative conduct” that is part of “various County agreements,” Brown notes in her July 12 memo.

The new section says, “SANCA agrees that all of its officers, employees and representatives shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall communicate with County employees and members of the public in a civil manner whenever in the Park or conducting Park business.”

Prior to former SANCA President Blackketter’s resignation, a YouTube video of an angry exchange between him and another man — filmed at the park — went viral. In it, Blackketter used foul language. Blackketter apologized to the SANCA board and vowed to get professional help to manage his anger issues.

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