County, Benderson Park Conservancy unveil revised design for boathouse and indoor sports complex

County parks staff and the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy on July 9 presented updated schematics, revised site plans and an estimated budget range for a proposed boathouse and indoor sports complex at Nathan Benderson Park.

Nicole Risler, director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, and Bruce Patanood, chief operating officer of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, described refinements to the plan developed by WJ Architects and reviewed how the building footprint was rotated and pulled away from the island’s spine so events and regattas could continue without loss of key spaces. Risler said the county previously committed $20 million of tourist development tax (TDT) “6p” funds to the project and that Benderson Development has pledged to contribute 20% of construction costs.

“Whatever we choose to move forward with cannot affect the success and the events and things we have out at the park now,” Risler said, describing multiple focus groups and a multi‑year feasibility process. Patanood summarized the park’s event season and usage statistics and said the revised plan would reduce on‑island heat during summer events and provide indoor space for concessions, staging, athlete recovery and community programming. He called the new layout “more efficient” for event circulation and said the boathouse would include storage for rowing and paddling boats, training space and offices that could be used year‑round.

The architects’ concept renders show a long, angled building that opens the island between the tower and the proposed structure; the complex would provide about 85,000 square feet of flexible indoor courts and multiuse space, and a boathouse with multiple bays and second‑floor viewing and training areas. Risler said the conservancy expects to complete construction documents by the end of the year and to return to the board with a full cost estimate and funding plan early in 2026.

Commissioners praised the design work and the conservancy’s fundraising progress but did not take a funding vote at the meeting. Several commissioners stressed the need for a robust capital funding plan before the county approved further commitments. Risler said the conservancy and private partners have been funding design work and that the conservancy will lead private fundraising for naming rights and other contributions.

If the board chooses to advance the project, Risler said staff will return with 90–100% construction drawings, permitting steps and a refined capital plan that will show public and private funding sources and any proposed county contributions beyond the $20 million previously set aside. Conservancy and county staff said they anticipate total project costs will fall in the $60–70 million range and emphasized they are targeting the lower end of that range.

The project team said the design effort included extensive stakeholder outreach — from U.S. Rowing and collegiate teams to local youth sports and arts organizations — and that the complex is intended to support both large regatta logistics and daily community use, including practices, camps and nonwater sports during off‑season months. Bruce Patanood highlighted potential benefits for event operations, such as reduced on‑island congestion and trammed parking circulation, which the presenters said would improve safety and spectator circulation during major regattas.

Next steps: the Conservancy will continue schematic and construction design with WJ Architects, refine budget and fundraising targets, and return to the board with a timeline and final cost estimate for board consideration early next year. Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach and to present a clear funding plan when construction documents are available.

Ending: Park staff and the Conservancy framed the proposal as a multiuse facility meant to expand year‑round sports, training and community programming while protecting the park’s existing regatta uses. The board expressed broad support for continuing design work and for returning with a refined funding plan before the county commits additional capital.