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Sarasota County to take ownership of Wellfield Park, pledges $20 million toward $40 million redevelopment plan
Summary
The Board approved conveyance steps, an interlocal funding framework and a budget amendment to begin planning and design work for a South County regional sports complex at Wellfield Park; the county will contribute a minimum $20 million and the City of Venice has committed up to $20 million under the negotiated funding agreement.
Sarasota County commissioners on March 27 approved the county’s next steps to accept conveyance of Wellfield Park from the City of Venice and to begin design and initial funding for the park’s redevelopment as a regional sports complex.
Parks Director Nicole Rissler reminded the board the interlocal agreement approved last fall sets the framework: the county will assume ownership of Wellfield Park and operate it as a regional athletic park, while several municipal parks will be returned to city operation under negotiated terms. The new interlocal is effective October 1, 2026; the County will continue to operate Pine Brook Park and several other facilities that are closely related to the Wellfield vision.
Funding agreement and budget amendment: under the funding agreement the City of Venice committed up to $20 million toward initial redevelopment costs; Sarasota County agreed to a minimum commitment of $20 million, creating an initial funding envelope of $40 million. Rissler and Office of Financial Management staff outlined an initial county funding package to cover the county portion of the first phase: a mix of South County park impact fees, an allocation of surtax 4 funds (which the commission had previously set aside for a South County regional sports complex), and a modest tourist‑development‑tax capital allocation tied to sports tourism potential. The City of Venice will make an initial payment no later than Oct. 1 this year for $5 million; the funding agreement also anticipates City District park impact funds of about $2 million, and the city contract requires a minimum annual payment if district impact fees fall short.
The Board adopted budget amendment B2025‑028 to appropriate $3,091,196 for initial design work and to cover estimated operating impacts tied to conveyance (project number 947315). Rissler said master planning and community engagement for Wellfield, Pine Brook and nearby Bypass/Foxworthy sites will proceed in late 2025 and early 2026; full design and permitting would follow, with potential phased construction beginning in 2027 depending on the scope and sequencing the Board selects.
Motion and vote: the Board approved the initial funding plan, the interlocal/conveyance steps and budget amendment B2025‑028 in a combined motion; the motion carried unanimously (Commissioners Cuttsinger, Knight, Mast, Smith and Kutzinger voted yes). Rissler and staff emphasized the need for public engagement and careful phasing because Wellfield is landlocked and major replacement of aging infrastructure will require temporary swing space and coordinated scheduling with sports users.
Operational and schedule notes: staff expects to complete conveyance due diligence and closing in early summer 2025, then launch master planning and procurement for design and construction management. The board and staff noted that replacing athletic fields can be costly (staff cited roughly $80,000–$100,000 per full‑field replacement) and that phased planning will be required to minimize disruption for youth leagues and tournament schedules.
Ending: Commissioners said the agreement represents long‑term collaboration with the City of Venice to provide a modern regional sports complex and preserve nearby natural areas; staff will return with detailed concept costs, phasing options and an engagement plan as design work advances.
