VERO BEACH – The Indian River Rowing Club wants to build a boathouse at MacWilliam Park between the Riverhouse and dog park.
Before going to the Vero Beach City Council for approval, organizers agreed Tuesday evening to hold a public workshop to better define the project and get public buy-in.
Charles Sullivan Jr., of the Indian River Rowing Club, made his pitch for a 25-year lease of city-owned land before the city’s Recreation Commission.
While members of the commission appeared to be supportive of the proposal, they suggested a public workshop be held in order to get more information, have more discussion and more feedback from the community.
Commissioner Bea Gardner, who originally made a motion to approve supporting the boathouse, said that a public workshop would make the public “more aware” and “more excited” about the Indian River Rowing Club’s plans.
The organization wants to build a 6,000-square-foot facility that would house sculls, sailboats and other watercraft as much as 55 feet in length.
Sullivan said that building would also have office and training space, exercise and teaching facilities, along with a common area shared between the club and the Youth Sailing Foundation.
“We would work together,” Sullivan told the commission when asked about the relationship between the two organizations.
The Youth Sailing Foundation has grown quicker than its organizers anticipated and are looking for room to store the boats the members have – the Indian River Rowing Club’s boathouse could serve that function.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Gardner said.
Sullivan anticipates the construction of the boathouse to cost between $300,000 and $360,000 and be funded through private donations. Operating the boathouse, too, would be funded through donations, along with user fees.
He told the commission that the only thing his group is asking for from the city is a long-term lease for the property.
Councilman Ken Daige, who was in the audience, told the Recreation Commission members that the city currently has a long-term lease with the Vero Beach Museum of Art for $1 per year.
Commission member Tracy Carroll said she could support a similar arrangement with the Indian River Rowing Club and later added that facility could be what the city needs to draw more tourists.
She explained that having a boathouse for rowing and sailing watercraft could attract regattas and festivals, and other events.
Sebastian River High School Athletic Director Michael Stutzke told the commission that he supports Vero Beach establishing a boathouse, though he does not expect the high school to relocate from the C-54 Canal north of Fellsmere.
The canal is often used for competitive rowers as the waters are calmer and the course is straight.
“There’s a lot of logistics that need to be worked out,” Vero Beach Parks and Recreation Director told the commission, including insurance and liability.
The commission voted unanimously to hold a public workshop before officially passing the Indian River Rowing Club’s request on to the Vero Beach City Council.
A date and time have not yet been scheduled.
