Cape Coral Rowing Club faces uncertain future as city looks into alternative

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—The Cape Coral Rowing Club says it needs just one more vote to survive, but time may be running out.

The youth sports club's future remains uncertain after the Cape Coral City Council failed to approve an agreement last month that would allow the club to use Tropicana Park. The council vote ended in a tie, with four members voting in favor and four against, causing the motion to fail.

At Wednesday's city council meeting, the rowing club received an award from the city after winning a state championship. Later in the same meeting, club members returned to the podium to advocate for their future.

"This is our whole life," said Teyahnye Love, a rower with the club.

Council members have expressed support for keeping the rowing club in Cape Coral, but they disagree on where the club should be located. The disagreement stems from complaints by neighbors near Tropicana Park.

"The city wants the rowing club here. We just got to figure out the right thing long-term," said Joe Kilraine, a council member.

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The club had planned for years to move into Tropicana Park. Instead of focusing on practice, young rowers now find themselves attending city hall meetings to fight for their program's survival.

"It's pretty disappointing having to think about that when you can just work on rowing," said Ambrose Xavier Love, a rower.

Parents and club leaders expressed frustration that council members didn't bring the issue back onto the agenda. Ginny Bunch, a parent, pointed out that no action has been taken despite multiple meetings.

The club also appeared at WINK Listens in Matlacha to draw attention to their situation. Saundra Weston, the club's president, emphasized what's at stake.

"I really want to draw attention to the fact that, you know, the losers in this game are our future generation," Weston said.

Some council members have suggested the rowers could relocate to Crystal Lake Park. Weston warned that without a decision from the council, the club could be forced to dissolve.

"It's scary, because, you know, if we don't find a permanent home, I think the club will be dissolved. And I don't know where I'll go," Love said.

The city communications director said the Crystal Lake proposal could come up at a future meeting, but no action has been taken on it so far.