Cape Coral Rowing Club moving to Tropicana Park in surprise vote

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) - After seven years of debate, delays, and uncertainty, the Cape Coral Rowing Club has a new home. In a surprise move, the City Council voted 6-1 to approve the club’s use of Tropicana Park on Wednesday night.

Originally, Tropicana Park wasn’t on the agenda. City Council planned to consider an alternative location at Crystal Lake Park in northwest Cape Coral.

Councilwoman Jennifer Nelson-Lastra moved to vote on Tropicana Park. Council members Derrick Donnell, Joe Kilraine, Bill Steinke, Keith Long, and Rachel Kaduk voted in favor. Councilwoman Laurie Lehmann voted against.

Mayor John Gunter was not present at the meeting. Gunter did not advance to the general election in November after Tuesday's primary. 

Tropicana Park was originally supposed to be the rowers' new home after development forced them to move. In 2020, Cape Coral approved space at Tropicana Park, and the club was set to move this Spring. 

In February, city leaders agreed on framework for a licensing deal recommending the club pay for a concrete wall around the property. The wall would be roughly 11,000 feet, up to 10 feet high. The club previously estimated it would cost around $150,000 to build. 

The move also faced opposition from the Northwest Neighborhood Association, which raised safety concerns. The association argued that increased boat traffic from the Seven Islands project could put rowers at risk.

But club President Saundra Weston pushed back.

"Most people don't understand the sport of rowing," Weston said. "But every rowing club in the nation is sharing a waterway with motorized vessels, and that's why we have such safety protocols."

The rowers argue Tropicana Park is actually the safest option, because it has a dock designed to launch boats onto the water. Launching and docking boats is the most dangerous part of rowing, Weston said.

In April, City Council deadlocked on letting the club use Tropicana Park. The 4-4 vote meant the measure failed. 

The issue returned in May, after rowers pleaded with City Council to take action. Council directed staff to look into Crystal Lake Park as an alternative. Weston said Crystal Lake could work - but it would require $60,000 worth of improvements to use. 

The rowing club appeared before council again on Wednesday, strongly opposing Crystal Lake. 

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