Sarasota and Manatee Work to Lure World Rowing Championship

Manatee and Sarasota counties are working to bring the World Rowing Championships to this area in 2017.

Over the past two days the tourism council and the Sarasota County Commissioners approved spending money to bring the World contest to this area in 2017.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that Sarasota County Commissioners amended the county's tourism promotion budget today to spend about $90,000 on consulting and travel to bid on the event. The commissioners said Tuesday the investment is worth the possibility that the 17-day event will generate as much as $25 million in economic impact for the area.

Based on previous world championships, estimates are that as many as 42,000 people could attend the event, which attracts more than 1,200 athletes and 950 coaches and officials from around the world.

Two other local rowing venues include Manatee County's Fort Hamer Park, and Sarasota County's Blackburn Point Park.

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Commissioners authorized submitting a preliminary bid to the International Federation of Rowing Associations. The international event would be held at Nathan Benderson Park, under construction south of University Parkway near Interstate 75. Other local rowing venues include Fort Hamer Park in Manatee County, Blackburn Point Park in Sarasota County and Bradenton is currently working on a venue out of Riverwalk at Rossi Park.

Manatee County tourism officials voted in favor of the bid on Monday. Sarasota and Manatee counties plan to split the costs of bidding on the world rowing event. The Manatee County Commission has yet to vote on the plan.

The Bradenton Herald reported the estimated budget for Manatee's share of the expenses for the championship through 2017 was listed at $1,104,740. Its Sarasota counterpart was listed at $1,159,740, according to county documents.

But council members emphasized that no Manatee County property tax money would be used. The Tourist Development Council, which collects bed taxes, would pay the costs if the Manatee County Commission approves the proposal.