Introduction
The Selby Aquatic Center, a 70-meter outdoor competition facility and water park, was originally part of the Sarasota YMCA. The pool, diving boards, and water park were used by YMCA members, community groups and schools, the public, and the Sarasota Sharks Swim Team. With the dissolution of the Sarasota YMCA, Sarasota County has signed a lease with the incumbent tenant, the Sarasota Sharks Swim Team, under a new nonprofit similarly named Sarasota Sharks, Inc. who positioned themselves to enter into an exclusive lease of Selby Aquatic Center as the YMCA announced their default. The Sarasota County Commissioners agreed to the arrangement as they "thought they must save the Sharks to save the Selby Aquatic Center" (Commissioner Detert).
It is clear there is an inherent conflict of interest for the newly created organization called Sarasota Sharks, Inc. to steward our County’s resource which is a high level competitive Aquatic Center. The Sharks’ mission is solely to support Competitive Swimming as reflected in their own mission statement and the draft lease with the County. Further, Sarasota Sharks Inc. is receiving substantial support from Sarasota County and its taxpayers:
· Exempt from approx. $30,000 in annual property taxes. (est. $900k over life of lease)
· Receives $180,000 in tax revenue (est. $8.6 million over life of lease)
· Pays $10/year in rent for the pool, parking lot, offices, locker facilities, and field.
This Agreement has handed a private swim club a county facility for virtually their own exclusive benefit and certainly their exclusive profit.
Public Hearings
September 10, 2019
APPROVED ITEM 8B TO AUTHORIZE LEASE WITH SARASOTA SHARKS INC.
Commission approved with clear direction to Sarasota Sharks Inc to work together with the Southwest Florida Water Polo Foundation, including a fair rate.
11:50 Beginning of Discussion
17:50 Bill Morris
19:50 Bobbi Morris
21:00 Jeff Bailey
24:10 Beth Bailey
27:38 Mike Bergquist
31:32 Deb Thurlow
35:06 Steve Butler
40:25 Commissioner motion and vote
43:00 Commissioner Ziegler Commentary
44:24 Commissioner Moran Commentary
44:55 Commissioner Hines Commentary
47:00 Meeting recess
August 27, 2019
DEFERRED CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS 16.A. AND 16.B. TO A DATE UNCERTAIN16.PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
A.The Board deferred consideration to a date uncertain, of the termination of a Lease Agreement with the Sarasota Family Young Men’s Christian Association (County Contract No. 2015-280) for certain portions of Potter Park, located at 8587 Potter Park Dr., Sarasota;
B.The Board deferred consideration to a date uncertain, of a proposed Resolution authorizing a Lease Agreement with Sarasota Sharks, Inc., for certain portions of Potter Park, located at 8587 Potter Park Dr., Sarasota.
Discussed in video from 15:30 - 1:03:40
NEWSPaper Articles - click image to view
County OK's Sharks Lease
Herald Tribune
9/11/2019
Troubled Waters
Herald Tribune
9/9/2019
Newly formed “Sarasota Sharks Inc” took over Selby Aquatic Center almost completely blocked access
The Scoop News
8/30/2019
County Holds off on Deal with Sharks
Herald Tribune
8/28/2019
Commissioners put a hold on pool lease with Sarasota Sharks
Sarasota Observer
8/29/2019
More County Funding Earmarked for Selby Aquatic Center (Article from 2014- deal no longer followed.)
Herald Tribune
8/20/2014
TV Stories - click image to watch video
Selby Aquatic Center lease negotiations making waves for Sarasota Sharks
SNN News
9/9/2019 - 5:30PM News
Selby aquatic center debate continues
SNN News
9/9/2019
NEWSPaper Articles (Related)- click image to view
USA Swimming Faces Probe Into Sex-Abuse Claims, Business Practices
Wall Street Journal
10/2/2019
County Commission refuses to provide funding for Robert L. Taylor Community Complex in north Sarasot
Sarasota Observer
8/29/2019
USA Swimming Flips for Multisport Youth Athletes
Wall Street Journal
7/2/2017
Who Paid for the Selby Aquatic Center?
Who Paid for the Selby Aquatic Center?
Sarasota Sharks Inc. is receiving substantial support from Sarasota County and its taxpayers, and will get this support for 30 years with a lease:
- Exempt from approx. $30,000 in annual property taxes. (estimated $900,000 over life of lease)
- Receives $180,000 in tax revenue (estimated $8.6 million over life of lease)
- Pays $10/year in rent for the pool, parking lot, office space, locker facilities, and field. ($300 over life of lease)
Economic Impact
Economic impact of the Sharks Swim Team over the past 5 years.
source: Visit Sarasota
Rate quote to rent selby has increased to $19.67/hour/lane
Attempts to work with Sarasota Sharks Inc. continue to go nowhere
The SWFWPF has made no progress in renting pool space at Selby Aquatic Center. The Sharks offered SWFWPF a new proposal increasing the rate to $19.67/hour and adding facility requirements and restrictions.
If the Sharks Swim Team paid their stated rate for pool time it would cost them $1.265 million/year.