Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/135276
Sarasota News Leader June 7, 2013 United States and other parts of the world coming to Benderson Park for general training, including those preparing for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. However, Patterson raised a new concern during the County Commission discussion. According to the documentation provided with the agenda item, she said, "part of what we're signing will cause us to have to remove or cover any commercial signage during the Championship meets. Isn't that going to be a problem in getting sponsors?" Patterson added that she had been told another $10 million to $20 million is needed to complete all the planned facilities at Benderson Park, "so isn't this going to put a big impediment in our path?" Page 37 Blackketter explained that the names of corporate sponsors on buildings or other facilities would have to be covered only if those sponsors were not also supporting the World Championships. The intent, he pointed out, is to create "a clean site." The FISA stipulation motivates corporate sponsors to support the World Championships, he added. It is standard operating procedure for FISA, he noted. Moreover, part of the documentation the local entities would receive from FISA if the region wins the bid for the championships would allow Benderson Park to sign four major corporate sponsors for the event, he said. The crowd spills out of a tent at Benderson Park during the May 24 celebration of the extension of North Cattlemen Road. Photo by Norman Schimmel