Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/305631
2015 and ask for a matching $11 million con- tribution from the state. That is a switch from the group's previous strategy, which had settled on snaring addi- tional state funding before SANCA went after private donations. That plan also called for SANCA to wait a few months for the com- pletion of architectural renderings before launching its fundraising campaign. Although designs for the park, including a layout of a boathouse, have not been finished, accelerated fundraising efforts will start soon, Blackketter told the News Leader. There is enough interest to "probably start immediately," Blackketter said. Blackketter also told the News Leader he did not think the paperwork slip-up specifically was the reason state legislators pulled the funding for the park this year as the budget was finalized. "The paperwork was something that got fixed very quickly," Blackketter said. "They are 'big picture' people up here, and [our] showing them the partnership is intact is what they want to see." The SANCA president was referring to the concept of the rowing venue as the creation of public-private partnership — the way it orig- inally was pitched to local and state officials. If anything, the funding setback has a silver lining for Blackketter: "[Development of the rowing facility] started at the very beginning as a private-public partnership, and this will allow us to demonstrate that," he said. RISING COSTS The project's estimated final price tag keeps going up. As costs rise, so do worries. With $30 million already having come in the form of taxpayer support, Antunes, the Citizens group president, questions the new plan to bring in only $11 million in private Tents are set up for an event at Benderson Park before the USMasters Rowing Championships began in August 2013. Photo by Norman Schimmel The worst combination is to have a public- private project without any competitive bidding that is run by a private entity. Cathy Antunes President Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government Sarasota News Leader May 2, 2014 Page 36