Outdoor displays, Crystal Classic top SKVA agenda

Outdoor displays and the Crystal Classic were hot topics at Tuesday’s Siesta Key Village Association meeting.

SKVA President Cheryl Gaddie, who led the meeting, said the association was continuing to research what changes, if any, could be made to the county ordinance banning businesses on Siesta Key from displaying items for sale outside their doors.

“We want to do what’s best for business,” Gaddie said, “and still be fair.”

Kevin Cooper, executive director of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, said that any modifications to the existing ordinance “need to be clearly defined and easily enforceable.”

Also up for discussion was the Siesta Key Crystal Classic. Brian Wigelsworth, a professional sand sculptor and sand manager for the event, reported that a national sponsor recently made a $20,000 donation to the annual event.

Cooper discussed the economic benefits of the sand sculpting competition, which brings 30,000 to 50,000 visitors to Siesta Key each year. Half of those visitors come from outside Sarasota, Cooper said.

“Any time people from outside come to Siesta Key, it means more rooms sold,” Cooper said.

The SKVA relies on a tourism marketing grant from Visit Sarasota County to advertise the event. Cooper said it was important to collect data from Siesta Key businesses to demonstrate a return on the grant’s investment.

Gaddie said events like the Crystal Classic help promote Siesta Key as a tourist destination.

“Continuing to introduce people to Siesta Key is vital to us,” Gaddie said.

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic will run Nov. 12 through Nov. 18, at Siesta Beach.

Other topics discussed during Tuesday’s association meeting include:

• Larry Alexander, representing Sarasota County Solid Waste, discussed a proposal for installing recycling containers in the Village.
• The completion date for retention pond construction at Siesta Beach will be pushed back from November to December.
• SKA board member Peter van Roekens briefed the Village Association on crosswalk bollards, which are scheduled for completion by the end of August.
• Sarasota Sheriff’s Office reported no significant crime trends on Siesta Key.

The next Siesta Key Village Association meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 3, at Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, 5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key.

Residents can call 349-2770, Ext. 227 for more information.

Contact Nolan Peterson at [email protected].