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<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>> THE CAPE CORAL ROWING CLUB SAYS THEY THOUGHT TROPICANA PARK WOULD BECOME THEIR PERMANENT HOME WITH DAX BUILT FOR ROWERS TO HAVE EASIER ACCESS TO THE WATER. THEN AS YOU’VE HEARD THAT CHANGE, THE CITY DENIED THE CLUB’S REQUEST TO TRAIN AT THE PARK. NOW MEMBERS OF THE CLUB, THEY’RE WORRYING THAT THEY MAY NEVER LEAVE THEIR TEMPORARY LOCATION. A CANAL OFF OLD BURNT STORE ROAD TONIGHT. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER JOHN BARRON IS IN CAPE CORAL WITH THE MONTHSLONG BATTLE BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CLUB. >> ORDERS IN THE CALM, SMOOTH WATER. >> BUT TENSIONS BREWING ON LAND. THE GROWING SPORT VERSUS THE GROWING CITY. NOW THE ROWING CLUB, A STAPLE SINCE 2007 IS STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT. WE DID THE BEST WE COULD UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IT WOULD BE TEMPORARY, RIGHT? AND THAT WE WOULD BE IN THIS GORGEOUS, SAFE SPOT. YOU KNOW, AFTER A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, I THINK RECENTLY THAT PRESIDENT SANDRA WESTON, SAYS THE CITY PROMISED A DREAM SPA. IF THE CLUB COULD INDOOR A TEMPORARY RISKY SPOT ON THE 7 TO EVENTUALLY HAVE A STATE-OF-THE-ART HOME. BUT NOW THERE IS A NEWER COUNCIL WITH NEW IDEAS. THE VOTES BEEN TAKEN IS 44, IT FLAT. YOU’RE NOT GOING TO TRAFFIC CAM. I SAID I COULD TURN AROUND AND SAY. WELL, MANY YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN. >> I SAID, BUT I HAVEN’T SAID THAT. >> DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCILMEMBER LAURIE LEHMAN BELIEVES TROPICANA PARK DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH PARKING SPACES TO HOLD A ROWING CLUB. OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THE WATERWAYS ARE UNSAFE WITH VOTERS AND SOME BELIEVE THE TEAM SHOULD STILL LEASE FROM TROPICANA. THE CITY SPENT $500,000 FOR THE FLOATING DOCK AT THE PARK, BUT LEHMAN AGAINST THE CLUB USING TROPICANA, LET A NEW TEAM WITH 2 MEMBERS OF THE NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND HONK DOCKS AND LIVES. SHE SAYS IT’S A COMPROMISE SINCE THE MAYOR WAS AGAINST THE PLAN FROM THE START AND NOT ONLY THAT, THE MAYOR FROM DAY ONE SAID NO. HE SAID NO. WITH THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL. THAT WAS IT. YES, DID. IT. >> YES, YOU DO YES. FOR THEM TO GO. TROPICANA PARK, RECORDING. YES. WELL, I HAVE THE RECORDING SAYS, NO, HE DID NOT. AND HE HAS SAID NO, HE IS NOT OKAY. AND I HAVE NO REASON TO QUESTION A MAN. >> WE DUG UP THAT 2020 MEETING WHERE THEN COUNCILMEMBER JOHN GUNTER VOTED YES FOR THE ROWING CLUB TROPICANA PARK. LET’S GO ON TO TROPICANA PARK WITH A 7 TO ONE VOTE FOR NEXT YEAR. SENT IT EARLIER THIS MONTH. LEHMAN SUGGESTED THE CLUB MOVE TO CRYSTAL LAKE PARK EVEN CLAIMED DONATIONS WOULD FOOT THE $40,000 MOVE. WE HAVE CONCRETE COSTS. >> I HAVE. OUR PROPOSAL FROM. >> FOR THE CAR DOES ACT COST WESTON VOICE SAFETY CONCERNS TO COUNCIL LEHMAN WENT AHEAD AND SEND HER PROPOSAL TO THE CITY MANAGER. WELL, I GAVE HER A COPY OF THE PLAN THAT WE HIM UP THAT I CAME UP WITH THAT HURT. THE TEAM THAT I WAS WORKING WITH CAME UP WITH. ISSUE OVERLY THROW. NOW. >> CITY’S NOT GOING TO SPEND ANOTHER $550,000. >> NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WESTON TELLS ME YOU NEED ROWING DOC EXPERTS TO DRAW UP A DESIGN. AQI, DOC, FABRICATED ALL OF THESE PIECES. AND, YOU KNOW, ALL YOU NEED ARE THE DIRECTIONS TO PUT IT TOGETHER. PUTTING IT TOGETHER IS LIKE PURCHASING THE LEGO HELICOPTER RIGHT? >> I MEAN, SOMEBODY DESIGNED THOSE PIECES TO FIT TOGETHER. PERFECTLY. LEHMAN PLANS TO MOVE FORWARD, EVEN RELOCATING PARTS OF THE FLOATING DOCK FROM TROPICANA PARK. HOWEVER, PUBLIC WORKS. ESTIMATES SHOW MOVING ONE OF THE NEWLY INSTALLED TROPICANA PIECES WOULD COST ABOUT $170,000. >> THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. BECAUSE THE CITY HAS ALREADY PAID. AND I MEAN, TO THE POINT WHERE WITH MOVING? TELLING THE DOC FROM TROPICANA UP TO THAN OUR TOP OF THE NORTH SPREADER. WE’VE ALREADY HAD A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SAY, HEY. >> SANDRA WESTON TELLS ME THIS SPORT IS AN OUTLET. IT CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO GAIN SCHOLARSHIPS FROM UNIVERSITIES AND CREATES A COMMUNITY. I ASKED COUNCILMEMBER LEHMAN IF COUNCIL DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH HER PLAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE ROWING CLUB? OUR PLAN? >> IF MY PLAN, MY TEAM AND I CAME UP WITH. THAT’S IT. FLY. IT GETS VOTED DOWN. IT’S GOING TO BE UNFORTUNATE. SO. >> RIGHT NOW. ONE MONTH TO MONTH, LIVING ON BORROWED TIME AGAIN, SIMPLY BECAUSE PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND THE REALITY OF OUR SITUATION. SAUNDRA WESTON SAYS ONE THING REMAINS FROM CHAMPIONS HAVE BEEN BORN FROM THIS CLUB, BUT IT IS ALL ABOUT THIS CAPE CORAL CREW. THEY’RE GONNA HAVE TO KEEP IT CLEAN. TEAMWORK HAS BEEN INSTILLED ANY YOUNG MINDS AND THIS CLUB WILL CONTINUE TO GROW ON MY GOD. >> WILL WIN THE STATE TITLE\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Growing sport vs growing city: What will happen to the Cape Coral Rowing Club<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tUpdated: 8:06 PM EDT May 28, 2026\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\tEditorial Standards \u24d8<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Cape Coral Rowing Club\u2019s plans for a permanent home at Tropicana Park have been derailed by city council disagreements, leaving the club in a temporary and risky location at Seven Islands. Since 2020, the club, led by President Saundra Weston, had anticipated Tropicana Park becoming its permanent home, complete with a state-of-the-art dock system, storage for boats and equipment, and a base to grow the program. \u201cWe did the best we could under the assumption that it would be temporary, right. And that we would be in this gorgeous, safe spot, you know, after a certain period of time,\u201d Weston said. The club, which has existed since 2007, continues to operate from a makeshift dock at Seven Islands, a location Weston described as risky. District 2 City Councilmember Laurie Lehmann said Tropicana Park lacks sufficient parking to accommodate the rowing club alongside other park visitors. Some council members have also raised concerns about waterway safety due to boat traffic. \u201cThe vote\u2019s been taken. It’s 4 to 4. It died flat. You’re not going to Tropicana? I said I could turn around and say, well, honey, you’re on your own. I said, but I haven’t said that. I turned around, and I said, I will work with the team,\u201d Lehmann said. The city spent roughly $500,000 on a floating dock at Tropicana Park. Lehmann, who opposes the club\u2019s use of the park, proposed relocating the rowing club to the north spreader at Crystal Lake Park for $40,000, funded by donations from individuals and nonprofits. \u201cI don’t have estimates. We have concrete costs. I have a proposal for the exact cost from Aqueduct, from the marine contractor we’re working with,\u201d Lehmann said. Weston expressed concerns about the safety and design of Lehmann\u2019s proposal during a May 6 meeting. \u201cI met with her on May 6 at 2:30 p.m. at her request to look at her proposal. Yeah, before the council meeting. And I told her, I pointed out numerous things that were wrong with it. And I pointed out those same things to the city manager,\u201d Weston said. She emphasized the importance of using rowing dock experts for the design. \u201cHow important is it for people to understand the difference between someone who might construct a dock just for folks to pull up on and someone who might construct a dock specifically for rowers? So ACCU dock fabricated all of these pieces, and, you know, all you need are the directions to put it together. Putting it together is like purchasing the Lego helicopter, right? I mean, somebody designed those pieces to fit together perfectly,\u201d Weston said. Lehmann plans to build the $40,000 dock and relocate parts of the floating dock from Tropicana Park.However, public works estimates show moving one of the newly installed Tropicana pieces would cost about $170,000. \u201cWe’re working to pay for this. Yes. We’re trying. That’s what we’re trying to do. That’s exactly what we’re trying to accomplish because the city has already paid. And I mean to the point where with moving, towing the dock from Tropicana up to the top of the north spreader, we’ve already had a couple of people say, ‘Hey, we’ll do it,’\u201d Lehmann said. Weston highlighted the club\u2019s impact on the community, noting that the sport provides opportunities for students to earn scholarships and fosters teamwork. \u201cIf our plan, if the plan, my team and I came up with, doesn’t fly, it gets voted down. It’s going to be unfortunate. I would, to be honest with you, rather not think about what could happen,\u201d Lehmann said when asked about the club\u2019s future if her proposal is rejected. Weston said the club is currently operating month-to-month at Seven Islands. \u201cSo, right now, we’re month-to-month living on borrowed time again. Simply because people don’t understand the reality of our situation or the reality of the Seven Islands Project,\u201d Weston said. Despite the uncertainty, Weston remains committed to the club\u2019s mission. \u201cChampions have been born from this club, teamwork has been instilled in young minds, and this club will continue to row on,\u201d Weston said.DOWNLOAD\u202fthe free\u202fGulf Coast News app\u202ffor your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tCAPE CORAL, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The Cape Coral Rowing Club\u2019s plans for a permanent home at Tropicana Park have been derailed by city council disagreements, leaving the club in a temporary and risky location at Seven Islands. <\/p>\n Since 2020, the club, led by President Saundra Weston, had anticipated Tropicana Park becoming its permanent home, complete with a state-of-the-art dock system, storage for boats and equipment, and a base to grow the program. <\/p>\n \u201cWe did the best we could under the assumption that it would be temporary, right. And that we would be in this gorgeous, safe spot, you know, after a certain period of time,\u201d Weston said. <\/p>\n The club, which has existed since 2007, continues to operate from a makeshift dock at Seven Islands, a location Weston described as risky. <\/p>\n District 2 City Councilmember Laurie Lehmann said Tropicana Park lacks sufficient parking to accommodate the rowing club alongside other park visitors. Some council members have also raised concerns about waterway safety due to boat traffic. <\/p>\n \u201cThe vote\u2019s been taken. It’s 4 to 4. It died flat. You’re not going to Tropicana? I said I could turn around and say, well, honey, you’re on your own. I said, but I haven’t said that. I turned around, and I said, I will work with the team,\u201d Lehmann said. <\/p>\n The city spent roughly $500,000 on a floating dock at Tropicana Park. Lehmann, who opposes the club\u2019s use of the park, proposed relocating the rowing club to the north spreader at Crystal Lake Park for $40,000, funded by donations from individuals and nonprofits. <\/p>\n \u201cI don’t have estimates. We have concrete costs. I have a proposal for the exact cost from Aqueduct, from the marine contractor we’re working with,\u201d Lehmann said. <\/p>\n Weston expressed concerns about the safety and design of Lehmann\u2019s proposal during a May 6 meeting. <\/p>\n \u201cI met with her on May 6 at 2:30 p.m. at her request to look at her proposal. Yeah, before the council meeting. And I told her, I pointed out numerous things that were wrong with it. And I pointed out those same things to the city manager,\u201d Weston said. <\/p>\n She emphasized the importance of using rowing dock experts for the design. <\/p>\n \u201cHow important is it for people to understand the difference between someone who might construct a dock just for folks to pull up on and someone who might construct a dock specifically for rowers? So ACCU dock fabricated all of these pieces, and, you know, all you need are the directions to put it together. Putting it together is like purchasing the Lego helicopter, right? I mean, somebody designed those pieces to fit together perfectly,\u201d Weston said. <\/p>\n Lehmann plans to build the $40,000 dock and relocate parts of the floating dock from Tropicana Park.<\/p>\n However, public works estimates show moving one of the newly installed Tropicana pieces would cost about $170,000. <\/p>\n \u201cWe’re working to pay for this. Yes. We’re trying. That’s what we’re trying to do. That’s exactly what we’re trying to accomplish because the city has already paid. And I mean to the point where with moving, towing the dock from Tropicana up to the top of the north spreader, we’ve already had a couple of people say, ‘Hey, we’ll do it,’\u201d Lehmann said. <\/p>\n Weston highlighted the club\u2019s impact on the community, noting that the sport provides opportunities for students to earn scholarships and fosters teamwork. <\/p>\n \u201cIf our plan, if the plan, my team and I came up with, doesn’t fly, it gets voted down. It’s going to be unfortunate. I would, to be honest with you, rather not think about what could happen,\u201d Lehmann said when asked about the club\u2019s future if her proposal is rejected. <\/p>\n Weston said the club is currently operating month-to-month at Seven Islands. <\/p>\n \u201cSo, right now, we’re month-to-month living on borrowed time again. Simply because people don’t understand the reality of our situation or the reality of the Seven Islands Project,\u201d Weston said. <\/p>\n Despite the uncertainty, Weston remains committed to the club\u2019s mission. <\/p>\n \u201cChampions have been born from this club, teamwork has been instilled in young minds, and this club will continue to row on,\u201d Weston said.<\/p>\n DOWNLOAD\u202fthe free\u202fGulf Coast News app<\/a>\u202ffor your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app<\/a> to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":">> THE CAPE CORAL ROWING CLUB SAYS THEY THOUGHT TROPICANA PARK WOULD BECOME THEIR PERMANENT HOME WITH DAX…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":288320,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-288319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/288319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=288319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/288319\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/288320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=288319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=288319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=288319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}