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Manatee throws its hat into rowing as economic engine
Sarasota County funded and will move forward a road construction project that will allow the lake to become 2,000 meters — the international standard and a status that will help Benderson Park draw up to 12 regattas annually.
Now Manatee County wants in the game, and on Tuesday they were given a crash course on exactly how to do so.
Manatee River could be the next venue for a 5,000-meter head race and a practice headquarters for dozens of collegiate teams around the nation, said Benderson project manager Paul Blackketter.
Manatee County’s partnership would strengthen and regionalize the success already experienced at Benderson Park, located on North Cattlemen Road just south of University Parkway.
The park has hosted four regattas in the past two months, which drew more than $4 million to the local economy, Blackketter said.
About 32,000 people attended the four events.
The conditions for a head race launching on Manatee River at the DeSoto Bridge and spanning 5,000 meters to the east are ideal, planners say.
“We have the distance, we have the width, we have the water,” Blackketter continued. “And we have a great city right on the water to host the regattas.”
Dale Weidemiller, a project administrator with the Bradenton Downtown Development Authority, said the group will hire someone to help design the riverfront to accommodate a head race and practice sessions.
Plans could even include a multi-purpose boat house with storage and rental space, possibly in the Wares Creek neighborhood, he said.
Additionally, Fort Hamer Park sits on about 10 riverfront acres and would be an ideal site for teams to train. The park would only need boat storage space, about seven boat launches, restrooms and docks.
Harvard rowing coach Harry Parker spotted the site with Blackketter and Community Rowing executive director Bruce Smith.
Parker said he would want to re-locate his team training to the river. Smith added that in probably less than two years, up to 50 teams would be vying for the opportunity to train locally.
“This is the most exciting rowing project in North America by far,” said Smith, who is also the U.S. National Rowing Team coach.
Once the Benderson Park course is extended from 1,750 meters to 2,000, officials plan to bid on NCAA and world rowing games. The park could even accommodate Olympic-level rowing, planners say.
The Cattlemen Road extension will begin in August and is projected to be complete by January 2012, Blackketter said.
There are only five other venues in North America that satisfy International Rowing Federation requirements.
Smith said rowing is a sport that can draw collegiate and professional athletes but also provides an activity for all age ranges, corporate groups and people with disabilities.
“This is ground zero for youth athletes in the United States,” Blackketter added, referencing IMG Academies and other upcoming large-scale sports projects.
County Commissioners spoke favorably of rowing’s economic influence on the region, but also of the opportunity and discipline it would provide area children.
“That’s the intangible benefit you’re creating in society,” said Commissioner Joe McClash.
County Administrator Ed Hunzeker told the board that county staff has been involved and would relay to them discussions with Benderson and Sarasota County.
“We need to get in the game,” he said. “That usually means money.”
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