Cape Coral rowing club's future at Tropicana Park divides neighbors and City Council

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)— The Cape Coral City Council is deciding whether the Cape Coral Rowing Club should stay at Tropicana Park or move to Crystal Lake Park. 

Council didn't come to a decision on Wednesday, but safety was top of mind. 

Cape Coral Rowing Club Coach Saundra Weston said boat traffic has generally never been an issue for the club. 

Some council members and neighbors say they would like to see the club move to Crystal Lake Park, just a couple miles north. 

Neighbor Carolyn Jones said Crystal Lake Park is a perfect location. “They should take any opportunity for basically a free location to give the children a safe location to row so they can earn those college scholarships," said Jones. "When you're a nonprofit, you can't look for the most expensive piece of property in a city and not expect to have pushback.”

The Northwest Neighborhood Association president sent WINK News a statement saying in part, “This issue is not about rowing — it’s about placing the right use in the right location while preserving community assets and ensuring public safety.”

Weston and her rowers disagree. They say Tropicana Park has been built for them to go there, and moving them to Crystal Lake Park would cost taxpayers. 

“Crystal Lake location proposal is abjectly unsafe, and it's also right across from an active boat ramp. I mean, I can't, in good conscience, even conceive of trying to launch there," said Weston.

Council voted 4-4 to keep the rowing club at Tropicana Park. The issue could be back up for discussion later this month. WINK News will continue to bring you the latest on this discussion.