County Commission sends letter of support for proposal
The Sarasota County commissioners agreed unanimously on Feb. 25 that Chair Joe Neunder should sign a letter of support for a bid by Visit Sarasota County, the county’s tourism marketing office, and the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy “to secure Sarasota as the long-term host for the NCAA Rowing Championships” at the park, starting in 2029.
The Conservancy is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages the park and the events conducted at its facilities, which are located just south of University Parkway and adjacent to Interstate 75.
Commissioner Ron Cutsinger made the motion, and Commissioner Teresa Mast seconded it. Both talked about the events as great opportunities to draw visitors to the community.
“Building on our anticipation of hosting the 2027 and 2028 NCAA Rowing Championships, we are eager to continue establishing Sarasota as a premier hub for collegiate rowing,” the letter said. “Nathan Benderson Park has proven to be a world-class facility, having hosted notable events such as the 2021 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships and 2017 World Rowing Championships, showcasing our ability to provide an exceptional experience for athletes, officials and fans,” the letter added.
“Sarasota County offers a vibrant and welcoming destination for visitors, blending natural beauty with a rich cultural scene and excellent accommodations. Student-athletes, coaches, and spectators attending the championships will experience the convenience of nearby airports, beautiful beaches, a range of lodging options — from beachfront hotels and vacation rentals to budget-friendly accommodations — and supporting this prestigious event, ensuring that student-athletes and fans alike can enjoy our hospitality and commitment to excellence,” the letter continued.
“We are eager to build on Sarasota’s legacy in collegiate rowing,” the letter said, before requesting the NCAA’s “favorable consideration” of the bid.
As its website notes, “Nathan Benderson Park is one of only a handful of sites in North America identified as having all of the natural attributes that make up a premiere rowing facility. The park began hosting organized regatta competitions in 2009.”
It further points out, “Athletes look forward to rowing on the park’s world-class, permanent, FISA Class A 2,000-meter sprint rowing and training course — the only such course in North America — while families and visitors can get on the water in a kayak, rowboat or stand up paddleboard, find a scenic spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic, or walk, run or bike our peaceful, neatly manicured trails encircling the shimmering lake.”
FISA — Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron — formerly was the name of the international governing body of the sport of rowing. The name has changed to “World Rowing,” as noted on its website.
In past annual reports, which the Benderson Park Conservancy provides to the county, data about NCAA events make clear their big economic impact on the region.
For example, the 2022 annual report noted that, in May of that year, the park hosted the women’s rowing competitions for NCAA Divisions I, II and III. The total attendee count at the park was 2,652, with $106,412.39 in state sales tax generated and regional economic impact of $2,926,340,80 cited. The number of hotel room nights sold in association with those events was 3,086, with $27,214.88 in “bed tax” revenue paid by hosts of accommodations linked to them.
The park did not host any NCAA events in the 2024 fiscal year, that report showed.
The 2024 annual report also said that the Conservancy anticipated income of $1,007,640 from events it would host that fiscal year. However, the total ended up being $875,374.
