Dredge begins work on Benderson Lake’s international-level rowing course

The dredge sits near the shoreline before work begins. Photo by Norman Schimmel

For Nathan Benderson Park off University Parkway, Aug. 10 has been a landmark day.

A 150-foot dredge owned by Dredge America of Kansas City, Mo., began digging out the lake bottom to create the only Class A course in North America as certified by FISA, the international Federation of Rowing Associations.

The chief facilities architect for FISA, the worldwide governing body of rowing, has been working with Benderson Development Co. to create the 2,000-meter course.

“[FISA officials] actually designed this lake to meet all their specs,” Paul Blackketter, executive director of planning for Benderson, explained to Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson and members of the news media today, Aug. 10.

Once the work is complete, the lake will be ready for a wide variety of international rowing competitions.

For more details on the project, see the Aug. 17 edition of The Sarasota News Leader.

1 thought on “Dredge begins work on Benderson Lake’s international-level rowing course”

  1. Once more, Sarasota is becoming a world-class destination, and we look forward to seeing Benderson Lake and Park completed and ready to welcome our global visitors.
    Olympics 2020, anyone?

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