Sarasota County and the city of Venice presented the status of the Wellfield Regional Park conveyance and redevelopment plan during a joint meeting May 16, confirming a funding package and a multi‑year schedule for planning, design and phased construction.

"This interlocal agreement, really, is based on the county's 2016 parks master plan," James Clinch, assistant city manager for Venice, told the joint body, and he and Nicole Rissler, Sarasota County director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, outlined steps the agencies will take to transfer the park and begin redevelopment.

Rissler said three agreements approved last year set the framework: a new interlocal agreement, a conveyance agreement for Wellfield Park and a funding agreement for redevelopment. The interlocal term begins Oct. 1, 2026, for a 10‑year period with automatic two 5‑year renewals. Under the funding agreement, the city committed $20,000,000 and the county a minimum of $20,000,000 toward Wellfield’s redevelopment; city payments include an initial $5,000,000 due within 12 months of conveyance plus agreed local park impact fees.

Officials said they expect to finish final due diligence and close the conveyance in the coming months. County staff approved a capital improvement project (CIP) to solicit design and construction manager‑at‑risk services about six weeks prior to the meeting; staff said they planned to solicit and award the design and construction manager this fall and begin community engagement and master concept planning late 2025 into early 2026.

Rissler outlined a likely schedule: roughly a year for design and permitting, followed by phased construction beginning in spring or mid‑2027. She emphasized that redevelopment would be phased so user groups can keep using portions of the park during construction. "I just want to make it clear that I don't believe there's any other way than it be phased. We have too many user groups and too many people that use this park to be able to stop, clear everyone," she said.

Clinch said conveyance would transfer responsibility for capital improvements to the county and that the city would assume operation of seven local parks and the Venice Community Center on Oct. 1, 2026. Officials said a small, 2.8‑acre portion of Pine Brook Park will transfer to the county as part of the conveyance to preserve parking associated with existing soccer fields and that Chuck Bridal (as presented) will remain under county operation for three years until Oct. 1, 2029, when it will return to city operation.

Questions from commissioners and council members touched on maintaining specialized facilities (the croquet greens will not be relocated and will receive permanent restroom and support facilities) and on local naming and branding issues for nearby parks. Staff said they are working on final surveying and title items and requested continued patience as the parties complete closing steps.

No formal vote was taken at the joint meeting; staff described the next administrative steps: complete due diligence, close the conveyance, award design and construction contracts, begin community engagement and proceed with phased construction.