Coach proposes Riverside rowing center; council asks staff to explore logistics

Stefan Stancia, a rowing coach who said he coached on the national team, told the council the proposed Fort Myers Rowing Center would provide youth programming, college recruiting opportunities and tourism benefits.

"It's the kind of sport that brings people together," Stancia said, describing camps, regattas and scholarship pathways and estimating an initial membership of about 100 people — roughly 50–60 adults and about 30 children. He asked the city to allow the club to use an existing warehouse and provide space for a floating dock and roughly three parking/trailer spaces.

Councilmembers pressed on logistics. Councilperson Geraldo asked how launching would be coordinated with recreational boaters and fishermen, and Stancia replied that "as long as we have safety protocols in place, it should be very simple" and proposed measures including buoys, staggered launch times and coxswain supervision.

Staff said the site would affect approximately four to six trailer parking spaces and that Riverside Community Center parking could absorb some vehicle demand. City Manager Loink said the building on site needed modest repairs — roof and electrical panel work — and that staff would negotiate responsibilities with the group if the council wanted to pursue the project.

On permitting, staff noted buoy placement and floating docks typically require state or federal approvals. A staff member said the project had already started permitting processes in other contexts and emphasized safety and design discussion would continue if directed.

The mayor asked if anyone opposed staff pursuing the proposal; no objections were recorded and councilmembers encouraged staff to continue conversations about site redesign, safety and cost allocation.