Parents petition for a bigger pool at Lakewood Ranch to attract swim meets, tourism
Members of the Bradenton swimming community have launched a petition drive asking the Manatee County Commission to think bigger about pool plans for Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.
As of Thursday afternoon, the petition already had more than 650 signatures with a goal of 1,000.
Instead of the proposed $13.6 million, 25-meter pool, petitioners are asking for 50-meter pool that could host competitive swimming events for local swim teams, state tournaments and even attract college teams, boosting sports tourism.
“Without this change, unfortunately Manatee County is going to miss the opportunity to grow local swim teams, to allow student athletes to reach their potential in the sport of swimming, to become a top destination, potentially nationwide, for swimming and aquatics,” the petition says in part.
Maggie Mooney is one of the swim parents who drives her children to the Arlington swimming pool in Sarasota, or to Marble Park, or G. T. Bray Park for practice.
Mooney was happy to hear Manatee County has plans to add an aquatic center at Premier Sports Campus, but said that the proposed pool is too small.
A 50-meter pool at Premier Sports Campus would provide a needed resource to a rapidly growing community and build on Manatee County’s sports tourism appeal, she said.
A competition pool is the kind of facility that would “put heads in beds,” Mooney said of potential hotel room nights for visiting swimmers and family members.
“Sarasota County recognizes the value of swimming as an economic driver. We are missing an opportunity for our community to embrace competitive swimming,” she said, referring to a state swim meet being held this week in Sarasota.
“You don’t build half of a basketball court or half of a baseball field, you build the whole thing,” Mooney said.
There are now nine Manatee County high school teams using three pools — G.T. Bray, John Marble and Lincoln — and none of them are large enough to hold competitive swim events, said Ira Klein, who coaches the Tsunami swim team.
“Fifty meters by 25 yards is the optimum size,” Klein said.
Swim mom Jen DiPasquale agrees that Manatee County needs an Olympic-size pool.
“Why are we doing something halfway? You would have better return on your investment to put in a 50-meter pool,” DiPasquale said.
DiPasquale and several other parents said they have taken their concerns to county officials with disappointing results.
“I asked for a town hall meeting in March and I can’t get them to respond,” she said.
Steve Lubrino, coach of the Lightning swim team, says he, too, has experienced the lack of response.
“It is frustrating. I haven’t heard from anyone about a long pool,” Lubrino said. “I have sent all the commissioners emails. They’ll answer me, but they don’t say they’ll look at it. Why not talk to the swim teams and get their input about what they will need? Who’s making the decisions?”
Local pools are already operating at maximum capacity, Lubrino said.
“I am getting emails from people moving here looking for a swim team. If you’re going to call it Premier Sports Campus, let’s make it premier,” Labrino said.
Ali Griffin has three children who are swimmers. She knows all too well about the long drives and the scheduling difficulties because of limited local facilities.
The aquatic facility at John R. Marble Park, 3675 53rd Ave. E., is closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, apparently because of staffing issues.
“I just heard recently that there is an option for a pool at Premier Sports Campus and thought that would be amazing,” Griffin said.
Manatee County commissioners, who are now on summer recess, are scheduled to discuss the pool project at their budget meeting on July 28.
Manatee County bought the 127-acre Premier Sports Complex in 2017 from developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and subsequently added 75 acres to accommodate a new county complex.
A $17.6 million East County library is now under construction on the property, near where multi-court, air-conditioned gymnasiums are envisioned for indoor sports such as volleyball and basketball.
At-large county commissioner George Kruse said Thursday that a 50-meter pool is something that needs to be collectively considered.
“The devil is in the details,” he said.
Do the dollars make sense? Would the larger facility fit into available space? he said.
“There are a lot of moving parts. If it makes sense, I am 100% for it,” Kruse said. “I would like to see all aspects of Premier Sports Campus be tournament quality. It’s an opportunity to say this is our premier sporting location.”
County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh was out of town Thursday, but said in a text that she intended to look into the pool situation when she returned.
Ryan Callihan, Manatee County government reporter, assisted with this report.
This story was originally published July 14, 2022 at 2:47 PM.
