A History of the LSPOA Pavilion

The LSPOA Pavilion serves as a beach front neighborhood gathering point

For any Lido Shorian who arrived in our neighborhood after October, 2004, The Pavilion has steadfastly been there.  That's when the current "Pav" was completed.  It's where we hold bi-weekly Sunday Sunset Gatherings.  It's held parties and picnics, and is a haven from the hot sun during July's off-shore grand prix boat races.

But if you've been to the beach or followed our posts over the past few months, you've realized that this architectural oasis is in peril.

Gulf tides are lashing our shoreline and have all but erased our once formidable protective dunes.  Is what's become an iconic symbol for our neighborhood in danger of potentially becoming just a memory, reduced to a lost letterhead logo?   Or, will the tides turn, so to speak, and replenish what nature has taken away?  Before we go any further, let's take a look back at the history of shelters on our waterfront slice of north Lido Key Beach.

Almost since Arvida Corporation transferred ownership of our beach front area to the newly formed LSPOA in 1959, there's been talk of constructing a shelter there.  According to old newsletters, the idea was first floated in 1962, twice in 1963 and again in 1964.  It was proposed again in May, 1970, with the Board tabling plans for a survey and shelter.  Four year later, in September 1974, the issue died again because prices were deemed too high.

Then, in February 1975, the Board was asked to determine the cost to improve the beach lot, including rest rooms, a tennis court and picnic tables.  That's when it was learned the City of Sarasota would require a special exemption, sketches and a land survey.

The survey was done and according to old meeting minutes, the stakes marking the shelter location were stolen the same day.  It was agreed to proceed with just a shelter, or cabana, providing it didn't cost more than $900.00.  Really.  That's not a typo.  The Board eventually agreed to raise the maximum cost to $1,300.00

City approval was granted, but when LSPOA finally decided to start construction in May, 1975, the project was put on hold because of Sarasota's plans for adjacent North Lido Park.  According to a Lido Shores newsletter at the time, the Board asked South Lido, specifically persons on Polk Drive, to join LSPOA in protest of the new park.

Construction finally got underway on our first Beach Shelter, Cabana or thatched roof "Hut", as it was called, in  June, 1975.   The "Hut" was renovated in 1990.

Member Pam Erb provided this photo from the 80's.  Notice the deck in the
right corner that was in front of the original Cabana or "Hut"

But during the 90's, the Hut fell into disrepair  Beach erosion is nothing new on Lido Key.  In talking with several, let's call them "legacy" members, who've lived in Lido Shores for a couple of decades or more, what happened to the previous beach Shelter is a cautionary tale.  With a little smaller footprint, but built in virtually the same spot as our Pavilion is now, the previous incarnation often saw seawater lapping around and under it, much like what happened with Alberto's arrival this year.

New Pavilion after completion in 2004.

This quote from a former LSPOA President, Michael Brown, is quite telling.  "Seibert Architects is completing the drawings for a striking new structure—practical, handsome, and slightly larger than the old one that is now almost hidden in the sand dunes and vegetation."

Current LSPOA member Ken McMillen headed up the beach committee at the time.

Drawing for new Pavilion from 2004.

It was determined the old beach shelter wasn't worth saving, so Seibert Architects were hired and architect Michael Epstein designed our current Pavilion.  Pat Ball Construction was hired to build the Pavilion.

In all, it took more than two-years of planning, permitting from the EPA, DEP, State of Florida Bureau of Beaches and Wetland Resources, Sarasota County and City building departments, approval of the LSPOA membership for $389 in assessment fees, and yes, a dip into the now sacrosanct legal reserve fund to come up with the $72,500 construction cost to finish the project at the end of 2004.

Per state guidelines, no machinery could be used on or near the environmentally sensitive beach area.

So the Pav was built using only hand tools carried to the site.
To further discourage damage to vegetation, the Pavilion is elevated, which also allows for naturally occurring fluctuations in the dune topography to pass under the floor of the structure.  According to Seibert's original description:

"The Pavilion is designed to resist harsh coastal conditions found in coastal areas while respecting and responding to the fragile beach and dune ecosystem.  Structurally the Pavilion is designed to resist severe wind loading and periodic inundation from severe storm surge or unusually high tides.  Aesthetically, it is designed to appear impermanent, with connections that appear simple and tenuous."

Power washing and updating the Pav in 2014

Just before the Pavilion's 10th anniversary in 2014, the LSPOA Board voted to spend nearly $10,000 in two installments to refresh the structure:  replacing the wheelchair ramp, fixing the soffits, replacing the teak seating surfaces on many of the benches, replacing rusting bolts, power washing and painting.

That brings us to today.  No one knows what Mother Nature will eventually decide to do, but if current trends are any indication, history might repeat itself.

Our protective dunes are gone.  One of our Private Property signs is now washed out of the sand and propped up against the Beach Benches... benches which have washed away twice in the last two-years.  Now, there's virtually little to no beach to put them on.

There's been Board discussion this year on ways to save the Pav, from hardening the shoreline in front of it, to dismantling and moving it.  Or, as Seibert's MIchael Epstein designed it, to stay put and withstand whatever Mother Nature can throw its way.

Uprooted Private Property signs

This statement (below) from Siebert Architect's proposal essentially mirrors the opinion LSPOA recently received from our insurance company.  Insurance will pay out if the Pav washes into the Gulf, but won't pay to fortify or move it.

Statement of Substantial Improvement - From 2004 - Siebert Architect Proposal

The proposed structure is a replacement of an existing cabana, and shall be constructed in the location of the existing cabana. Neither the existing cabana nor the proposed structure is illuminated electrically or otherwise.  There is an existing hose bib to remain. A sloped boardwalk provides access to the proposed structure.  The existing and proposed structures are considered “minor structures” under Florida Statutes Chapter 161.54, and as such are considered expendable under design wind, wave, and storm forces.  

Here's hoping our "expendable" yet sturdy Pavilion remains a permanent fixture in Lido Shores for years to come.

High tides have decimated protective dunes, exposing Pavilion to the Gulf

Just completed Pavilion in 2004.  

~Bob Thill
bthill@icloud.com