Approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Grant Agreement between the City and the Miami Beach Watersports Center Inc., for a total sum not to exceed $85,000, with funds approved during the FY 2022/2023 budget cycle, to support programming needs at the Ronald W. Shane Center.

The Miami Beach Watersports Center Inc. (“MB Watersports”) is a Florida not-for-profit organization that runs a premier rowing club with over 250 members, most of whom are Miami Beach residents. MB Watersports offers a para-rowing program (the “Program”), which teaches people with disabilities how to row and provides a training facility for competitive para-rowers. There are 25-30 regular participants training 3-4 days a week, including four disabled veterans. All participants live locally, half being Miami Beach and North Bay Village residents. They have been designated as a Paralympic Sport Club by the US Olympic Committee. The Program has grown in popularity and needs financial assistance to expand. The annual cost to run the Program is estimated at $150,000.

MB Watersports is grateful for the City’s continuous support and has accomplished the following achievements in FY 21/22 because of their support:

• Sustained quality coaching with experienced coaches
•  Maintained the program completely free of charge to participants
• Novice/recreational athletes trained 3 times a week
• Experienced competitive athletes trained 4 times a week
• Provided team uniforms for participants
• Six adaptive athletes competed at ERG Sprints
• Four adaptive athletes competed at Head of the Indian Creek
• Athletes on land training used adapted ergometers (rowing machines) with fixed seats
• Athletes on water training used adaptive boats with specialized equipment (oars, seats, stabilizers, etc.)
• Athletes became part of a team, reduced feelings of isolation, enjoyed the camaraderie and outdoor environment

Funding is included as part of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Current Service Level Budget for FY 22/23. The Administration recommends entering into an eighth Grant Agreement with MB Watersports for $85,000. The Grant Agreement will mirror the same requirements as past agreements, which requires the grantee to provide a report on the number of participants trained, how the funds were spent and the program’s accomplishments in relationship to the funds provided by the City. Priority shall be given to Miami Beach Residents and U.S. Military Service Members. MB Watersports proposes to use the grant funds to continue providing this valuable service.

 Funding is included as part of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Current Service Level Budget for FY 22/23. 

Amount: $85,000.00

Account: 011-0950-000312-28-406-545-00-00-00-