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Benderson Park updates architects, cost target for indoor sports complex; county has $20M committed
Summary
County and Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy officials presented schematic designs for a combined boathouse and indoor sports complex, selected WJ Architects, and said construction budgets are expected to be in the $60–70 million range with $20 million of county TDT 6p already allocated.
Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and Sarasota County staff on July 9 provided an update on park operations and the long-planned indoor sports complex and boathouse, showing revised site plans and explaining next steps on design, fundraising and project timing.
Conservancy and county presentations: Nicole Resler, director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, and Bruce Patnode, chief operating officer of the Conservancy, recapped the park’s busy event calendar and detailed the Conservancy’s selection of WJ Architects for full design services. They described a design approach that opens the island, preserves event flow and parking, and adds a combined boathouse for paddling/rowing storage and roughly 85,000 square feet of multi-use indoor sport space.
Costs and funding: Resler and Patnode said the full project design and fundraising to date is being led by the Conservancy and Benderson Development; the county previously allocated $20 million in TDT 6p toward the project. Public presenters set an all-in target cost range of $60–70 million and noted Benderson Development has committed to contributing roughly 20% of construction costs; the Conservancy will pursue private fundraising, naming rights and other donor contributions. Staff said the Conservancy expects to deliver 90–100% construction documents by the end of the year and will return with a final budget for board consideration in early 2026.
Why it matters: Presenters said the facility is intended to broaden year-round event capacity, reduce heat exposure for athletes, provide community programming and generate tourism/economic impact through high-profile rowing, paddling and indoor-sport events. Commissioners urged attention to funding certainty, potential use of park impact fees for eligible components, and to maximize public-private leverage without compromising park operations.
Quotes: "This venue will have concession and meeting space and spaces for registrations and spaces for athletes to get out of the heat," Bruce Patnode said, adding that the design reduces wet-bulb temperature concerns for athletes and improves event efficiencies.
Next steps: Conservancy and county staff will continue design, fundraising and permitting and return with a final construction cost and a funding plan to the board (staff indicated early 2026).
