Sarasota County set to purchase Camp Venice for $14 million

Key Information

• Purchase Amount: $14 million
• Property Size: 20.83 acres
• Location: 4085 E. Venice Ave, near the Myakka River
• Campsites: Approximately 135
• Annual Revenue Projection: Over $1 million
• Staff Requirement: 10 staff positions
• Due Diligence Deadline: August 24, 2023
• Total Project Costs: $16.04 million
• Future Staffing Plan: Positions to increase from 6 in FY 2026 to 10 in FY 2028

Sarasota County has finalized an agreement to acquire Camp Venice, an RV park off River Road, for $14 million. This new acquisition aims to develop a campground that will be integrated with the adjacent Snook Haven Park. An $8.75 million improvement project is already underway at Snook Haven. County staff predict the campground will need a team of 10 employees to operate effectively and is expected to generate upwards of $1 million annually.

The 20.83-acre site, located at 4085 E. Venice Ave. near the Myakka River, is owned by Camp Venice LLC, which is registered at a Boca Raton address. For the past 40 years, it has served as a campground featuring around 135 campsites for both RVs and tent campers, according to county records.

Camp Venice LLC acquired the property in September 2020 for $3.22 million. Sarasota County property records indicate that two independent appraisal reports corroborated the $14 million purchase price, as outlined in a memo from Nicole Rissler, the county’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

“Sarasota County has aimed to acquire this property for the past six to seven years, even during discussions with the former owner,” Rissler stated at a meeting on May 6, where the county commissioners unanimously moved to approve the purchasing contract for Camp Venice.

Plans for the property include enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities through RV and tent camping, improved water access, and habitat protection for local wildlife and vegetation. The site comprises approximately 6 acres of predominantly mesic hammock and riverine habitat, hosting species like oaks, southern red cedars, cabbage palms, wax myrtles, beauty berries, and wild coffee.

Negotiation Details

Addressing a query from Commissioner Teresa Mast concerning the negotiation timeline, Rissler explained that talks with the landowner had spanned about six months, culminating in intense negotiations over the purchase price and contract within the last three months.

The county is required to complete its due diligence by August 24.

In addition to approving the acquisition, commissioners also validated a resolution adjusting the FY 2025 budget to allocate $16.04 million for the Camp Venice project. This amount includes $2.05 million allocated for closing costs and initial improvements ensuring safety, security, accessibility, and utility upgrades, as noted in Rissler’s memo.

Closure of the deal is expected either 30 days after the seller informs the county that all park model and modular homes have been cleared from the premises or by February 28, 2026, whichever comes first. The seller may extend the closing date until March 31, 2026, if additional time is necessary to vacate the modular homes.

Rissler mentioned that there are currently 13 park models remaining on the site, with all leases understanding they are annual and set to expire on December 31. These models are individually owned and remain on the land through their respective annual agreements.

Future Investments

To manage ongoing costs, commissioners also passed a resolution amending the Sarasota County FY 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program to encompass the Camp Venice initiative.

“As we strategize for the seamless operation of Snook Haven Park and its neighboring parcels, acquiring this property involves budgetary impacts starting in FY2026, increasing in subsequent years,” Rissler outlined in her memo to the commissioners. This project will necessitate ten new positions beginning in FY 2026 to support both park management and campground operations, alongside revenue-generating contracts.

Funding for the ten positions is projected to derive from the Special Recreation Fund (68%), the Environmentally Sensitive Land Fund (21%), and the General Fund (11%).

The plan anticipates six positions in FY 2026, with an increase to eight in FY 2027, and 10 positions by FY 2028. The inclusion of two full-time and seasonal/temporary roles in FY 2028 will be contingent on revenue from campground and park operations supporting such positions, according to Rissler.

Once fully operational, the campground is expected to generate over $1.2 million in annual revenue, which Rissler categorizes as a conservative estimate.