Growing sport vs growing city: What will happen to the Cape Coral Rowing Club

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

The Cape Coral Rowing Club’s plans for a permanent home at Tropicana Park have been derailed by city council disagreements, leaving the club in a temporary and risky location at Seven Islands.

Since 2020, the club, led by President Saundra Weston, had anticipated Tropicana Park becoming its permanent home, complete with a state-of-the-art dock system, storage for boats and equipment, and a base to grow the program.

“We did the best we could under the assumption that it would be temporary, right. And that we would be in this gorgeous, safe spot, you know, after a certain period of time,” Weston said.

The club, which has existed since 2007, continues to operate from a makeshift dock at Seven Islands, a location Weston described as risky.

District 2 City Councilmember Laurie Lehmann said Tropicana Park lacks sufficient parking to accommodate the rowing club alongside other park visitors. Some council members have also raised concerns about waterway safety due to boat traffic.

“The vote’s been taken. It's 4 to 4. It died flat. You're not going to Tropicana? I said I could turn around and say, well, honey, you're on your own. I said, but I haven't said that. I turned around, and I said, I will work with the team,” Lehmann said.

The city spent roughly $500,000 on a floating dock at Tropicana Park. Lehmann, who opposes the club’s use of the park, proposed relocating the rowing club to the north spreader at Crystal Lake Park for $40,000, funded by donations from individuals and nonprofits.

“I don't have estimates. We have concrete costs. I have a proposal for the exact cost from Aqueduct, from the marine contractor we're working with,” Lehmann said.

Weston expressed concerns about the safety and design of Lehmann’s proposal during a May 6 meeting.

“I met with her on May 6 at 2:30 p.m. at her request to look at her proposal. Yeah, before the council meeting. And I told her, I pointed out numerous things that were wrong with it. And I pointed out those same things to the city manager,” Weston said.

She emphasized the importance of using rowing dock experts for the design.

“How important is it for people to understand the difference between someone who might construct a dock just for folks to pull up on and someone who might construct a dock specifically for rowers? So ACCU dock fabricated all of these pieces, and, you know, all you need are the directions to put it together. Putting it together is like purchasing the Lego helicopter, right? I mean, somebody designed those pieces to fit together perfectly,” Weston said.

Lehmann plans to build the $40,000 dock and relocate parts of the floating dock from Tropicana Park.

However, public works estimates show moving one of the newly installed Tropicana pieces would cost about $170,000.

“We're working to pay for this. Yes. We're trying. That's what we're trying to do. That's exactly what we're trying to accomplish because the city has already paid. And I mean to the point where with moving, towing the dock from Tropicana up to the top of the north spreader, we've already had a couple of people say, 'Hey, we'll do it,'” Lehmann said.

Weston highlighted the club’s impact on the community, noting that the sport provides opportunities for students to earn scholarships and fosters teamwork.

“If our plan, if the plan, my team and I came up with, doesn't fly, it gets voted down. It's going to be unfortunate. I would, to be honest with you, rather not think about what could happen,” Lehmann said when asked about the club’s future if her proposal is rejected.

Weston said the club is currently operating month-to-month at Seven Islands.

“So, right now, we're month-to-month living on borrowed time again. Simply because people don't understand the reality of our situation or the reality of the Seven Islands Project,” Weston said.

Despite the uncertainty, Weston remains committed to the club’s mission.

“Champions have been born from this club, teamwork has been instilled in young minds, and this club will continue to row on,” Weston said.

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