Full steam ahead for new United States rowing venue

FISA events director, Svetla Otzetova visited the venue last year and said the proposal and surroundings were better than she expected. “This place could easily become a FISA event venue,” stated Otzetova.

Project manager for Benderson Development, Paul Blackketter talked to World Rowing about progress at the park.

World Rowing: Firstly how did it all come about?
Paul Blackketter: In 2009 we held our first regatta at the park and it was a huge success. So we started to do our due diligence to see if the area was worth improving. We realised that there were no other class ‘A’ courses in the United States. So we pulled the plans together.

WR: What will the lake be like?
PB: The lake will be extended to 2200m. It is currently 1800m. Dredging will begin after the 2012 regatta season and we hope to complete it by the end of 2013. There will be a regatta island, similar to Penrith (the Sydney Olympic regatta course).

There will also be a commercial, retail and hotel centre adjacent to the course, all within walking distance.

WR: What was the area used for previously?

PB: It’s a manmade fresh water lake in a 400 acre (162 ha) park that was used for mining operations (mining shells). It’s been underutilised for the last 20 years as a county park. Not many people went there.

WR: Where has support for the project come from?
PB: Initially it was from Benderson Development. There is also funding from Sarasota County, neighbouring Manatee County and we are hoping for $5 million from Florida State. We also received $13.7 million from a federal stimulus project.

WR: How is the venue currently being used?
PB: We have regattas every year including the state championships (raced over 1750m) and the high school championships (raced over 1500m). We’ll continue to host regattas even during construction. There’s also dragon boating and kayaking. Also visiting colleges use it in the winter time for training camps. We have Harvard University here now and some of the Canadian junior team here. 

WR: What events do you hope to attract in the future?
PB: We very much want to have the World Rowing Championships by 2017 and the junior championships. Also the 2014 World Dragon boat Championships and local and national events.

Watch the video of the development plans at: http://www.worldclassrowing.com/ under ‘planned facility’.