Nathan Benderson Park Secures $10 Million for New Indoor Sports Complex and Boathouse

Nathan Benderson Park receives $10 million in Florida funding for a new indoor sports complex, boathouse and storm-response facility.

Nathan Benderson Park has secured a major piece of funding for one of the largest expansion projects in its history: a new indoor multi-sport complex, community gathering space and boathouse designed to strengthen the park’s role as both an international athletic destination and a regional emergency-response resource.

The State of Florida included $10 million for the project in its fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on June 29. The final state spending plan totals approximately $117.6 billion. Florida budget documents identify the Nathan Benderson Park allocation as funding for a “Secondary-Post Storm Shelter and Support Facility.”

Although that official budget description emphasizes emergency preparedness, the planned building will serve a much broader purpose during normal operations. The new allocation advances a project the Suncoast Post previously covered when Nathan Benderson Park unveiled its sports complex plans and fundraising campaign.

What Is Planned at Nathan Benderson Park?

According to the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, the proposed facility will include approximately 100,000 square feet of hardwood athletic flooring that could be configured for sports such as:

• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Pickleball
• Gymnastics
• Cheerleading

Plans also call for a permanent boathouse supporting rowing and paddling programs, along with flexible areas for community gatherings, educational programs, tournaments and other special events.

The indoor space would allow Nathan Benderson Park to host more events throughout the year, including during Florida’s hottest and rainiest months, when outdoor competitions can be disrupted by extreme heat, thunderstorms or heavy rainfall.

For Sarasota-area families, the complex could also create additional opportunities for youth sports, recreational programming and major tournaments that currently require suitable indoor space elsewhere in the region. The park’s ability to draw large athletic crowds was evident during its four-event sports lineup in April.

More Than an Athletic Facility

One of the most important elements of the project is its proposed use before and after hurricanes and other major emergencies.

State funding documents describe Nathan Benderson Park as a strategically located facility near Interstate 75 and major evacuation routes. The complex is expected to provide space for government agencies, emergency personnel, supplies and equipment during storm preparation and regional recovery operations.

Earlier funding applications proposed constructing the building to Florida’s standards for large “threshold buildings,” with structural components capable of supporting its public-safety role. The facility is not simply being promoted as a public hurricane shelter for residents; its more clearly defined purpose is to support emergency staging, government coordination and post-storm recovery.

That distinction is important. Specific emergency uses, operating procedures and public access during a storm would ultimately be determined by Sarasota County and emergency-management officials.

Project Could Cost Between $60 Million and $70 Million

The entire project will cost substantially more than the newly approved state contribution.

Recent public estimates have placed the price of the indoor complex and boathouse between $60 million and $70 million. That is considerably higher than the roughly $40 million estimate discussed when Sarasota County commissioners initially considered the project in 2022. Construction costs, an expanded design and the emergency-support functions have contributed to the larger projected price.

Sarasota County previously committed up to $20 million from revenue generated by the county’s sixth cent of tourist development tax, commonly known as the bed tax. That tax is collected primarily from short-term lodging stays rather than general property taxes.

The Benderson Family Foundation has also pledged to contribute an amount equal to 20% of total construction costs, according to the Conservancy.

Additional money will still be needed. Park leaders expect to pursue private donations, corporate partnerships, grants and other community support through a capital campaign.

The $10 million state allocation is therefore a major step, but it does not fully fund construction or guarantee that the final building will include every feature currently being discussed.

A New Economic Driver for Sarasota-Bradenton

Nathan Benderson Park leaders estimate that the park currently generates approximately $22 million in annual economic activity and that the new facility could add another $20 million annually.

Those figures are projections supplied by project supporters and should be viewed as estimates rather than guaranteed revenue. The economic benefits would depend on the number and size of tournaments, rowing competitions, conventions and community events eventually booked at the facility.

The potential impact, however, is easy to understand. Traveling athletes and their families spend money at Sarasota-Bradenton hotels, restaurants, stores, rental-car companies and other local businesses.

An indoor complex could also attract events requiring multiple courts under one roof—a market that Nathan Benderson Park cannot fully pursue with its current outdoor-centered facilities.

The park has previously reported even higher economic-impact totals during years with major events. Its fiscal year 2019 study, for example, estimated an impact of nearly $35 million from sporting events, training visits and other activities.

Preparing for the 2028 World Rowing Championships

The development has added importance because Nathan Benderson Park has been selected to host the combined 2028 World Rowing Senior, Under 23 and Under 19 Championships.

World Rowing currently lists the Sarasota championships for August 7-13, 2028. The international competition is expected to bring elite athletes, coaches, officials and spectators from around the world to the Suncoast. The region’s rowing audience remains substantial, with more than 11,000 visitors expected for the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships.

Nathan Benderson Park previously hosted the World Rowing Championships in 2017 and has continued to attract NCAA, USRowing and international competitions.

Park officials hope to complete the new complex and boathouse before the 2028 championships. Construction cannot begin, however, until final design, financing, permitting and related approvals are completed. The schedule should therefore be viewed as a target rather than a firm opening date.

Some Questions Still Need to Be Answered

The project has received substantial support from tourism and sports advocates, but it has also generated questions about its growing size, total price and the amount of public funding involved.

As the proposal moves into final design and fundraising, residents will likely want clearer information regarding:

• The final construction budget
• The exact size and layout of the building
• Annual operating and maintenance costs
• The division of responsibility between Sarasota County and the Conservancy
• The facility’s availability for local sports organizations
• Its specific role during hurricanes and other emergencies
• The amount that must still be raised privately

Those details will help determine whether the finished complex delivers the athletic, economic and emergency-preparedness benefits being promised.

A Significant Step Forward for the Park

The $10 million state commitment gives Nathan Benderson Park considerably more momentum as it prepares for a new generation of sporting and community events.

“This investment represents far more than a new building—it is an investment in our community’s future,” Louis Kosiba, development chair for the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, said in announcing the funding.

Kosiba credited state Sen. Joe Gruters and state Rep. James Buchanan with helping advance the appropriation through the Legislature.

The project still has financial, design and construction milestones ahead. Nevertheless, the newly approved funding moves the long-discussed indoor complex and boathouse closer to reality—and potentially positions Nathan Benderson Park to become an even more valuable destination for athletes, local families, visitors and emergency-response agencies across Southwest Florida.

More information about Nathan Benderson Park and its programs is available on the official Nathan Benderson Park website.

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