Heart Cape Coral Rowing Club protests Tropicana Park ribbon cutting, says future remains uncertain

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — While city leaders celebrated the grand opening of Tropicana Park on Friday, members of the Cape Coral Rowing Club gathered just feet away with signs reading “Let Them Row.”

For the city, the ribbon-cutting marked the completion of a new waterfront park with water access, a beach area, walking paths, picnic pavilions, and a kayak launch.

• RELATED: Cape Coral residents react as Tropicana Park construction starts

For the rowing club, it was a reminder of a years-long effort that fell short.

“This was supposed to be our stable place, and now that's in jeopardy too,” said rower Brooke Bunch.

The club has operated in Cape Coral since 2007 and has spent years working toward a permanent home. Club leaders and supporters say they believed Tropicana Park would eventually become that home.

Instead, the program's future remains uncertain.

A plan years in the making

The debate over the rowing club's future came to a head last month when the Cape Coral City Council voted on an agreement that would have allowed the club to operate out of Tropicana Park.

The vote ended in a 4-4 tie, resulting in the motion's failure.

Supporters of the rowing club say the decision left the organization without a long-term solution.

The club currently operates out of Seven Islands under a temporary arrangement.

On Friday, rowers used the park's grand opening to make their concerns visible.

• SEE ALSO: Cape Coral Rowing Club faces uncertainty as city looks into new location

Several students and supporters held signs during the ceremony while city leaders spoke and cut the ribbon.

When asked whether they felt heard by city leaders during the event, a group of rowers answered in unison: "No."

Sophia Mayus, a rower with the club, said students have repeatedly tried to explain why they believe Tropicana Park would be the best location for the program.

“They just totally ignored us every single time,” she said.

More than a sport

For many students, the fight over a permanent home is about more than a dock or a storage facility.

Rowers say the club provides friendships, discipline, leadership opportunities and a pathway to college athletics.

“It’s a place where you can find your community, where you can find your friends, where you can find lifelong people that you'll have for the rest of your life,” one rower said.

Students also expressed concern about the club's future if a long-term location is not secured.

“Honestly, yeah,” said Bunch when asked if she was worried about the club's future. “We're on a lease system. So we're always in limbo, and that's like a very nerve-wracking type of situation to be in because you're never stable.”

Community members join the support effort

Not everyone holding signs on Friday was affiliated with the rowing club.

Cape Coral resident Tina Lepene said she attended the protest simply to support local students.

“Just a citizen that wants to support, but we're a community. We all support these kids,” Lepene said. “I'll support any child who wants to do good things.”

Supporters say they believe the issue extends beyond rowing and reflects broader concerns about opportunities for young people in the community.

What's next?

City leaders who opposed bringing the rowing club to Tropicana Park have cited concerns about parking capacity and waterway safety.

Some council members have discussed alternative locations for the club, including Crystal Lake Park, but no permanent solution has been approved.

As of Friday afternoon, the rowing club remained at Seven Islands, and supporters said they plan to continue advocating for a long-term home.

WINK News contacted the City of Cape Coral and Mayor John Gunter for comment regarding Friday's protest and is awaiting a response.