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from overseas to get training slots there — Sarasota would become a Mecca for those athletes if it invested in the improvements. During the May 7 meeting, Hines reminded his colleagues that they subsequently learned BMX track projects are under way in South Carolina and in Oldsmar. "If it's sports tourism versus a local nonprofit for our kids, it's a totally different game," he added, "and we do expect something in return" in the form of sales tax and Tourist Development Tax revenue. Patterson asked Brown whether she felt the other BMX facilities would be complementary to the Sarasota track — perhaps in making a circuit of events possible — or whether they would take away competitors and races. Brown replied, "It could go either way, and it's hard to know exactly what the impact will be of these additional tracks coming on." Nonetheless, Brown continued, "What [BMX Sarasota members have] in their favor is their vast amount of history and their connections to the BMX community." The staff presentation noted that the Sarasota track, which opened in 1974, is the oldest continuously running facility of its kind in the United States. Additionally, Brown said, Visit Sarasota County, the county's tourism office, is very helpful in putting together bid packages for major events. "You feel optimistic about the vision being realized?" Patterson asked. "I do," Brown responded. Commissioner Joe Barbetta told his col- leagues he believes Nicole Rissler, sports director for Visit Sarasota County, has most of the information necessary to explain the figures in the Sarasota BMX business plan. "I think the people who have run this operation to date have been great stewards of this park," he said of the nonprofit. "If there's any fault, it's probably in how to write a business plan. It's difficult for volunteers. … I think we do need to work with them on that, and Nicole can work with them, also." Robinson further recommended that such business plans be vetted by the county's Office of Business and Economic Development before they are presented to the commission- ers. She asked Harmer to discuss the matter with Jeff Maultsby, director of that office. Brown assured the commissioners she would provide their feedback to Sarasota BMX. % Don't have your own subscription to The Sarasota News Leader? Subscribe for FREE and receive a weekly notification when the latest issue is available online. FREE SUBSCRIPTION Sarasota News Leader May 9, 2014 Page 46