Full-court press: Stymied entrepreneurs continue to pursue redevelopment project

In tennis terms, Mark Lucas and Mark Kehr are facing match point with their long, arduous and expensive plan to redevelop a prime spot in Sarasota — the Bath and Racquet Fitness Club.

The pair of Canadian entrepreneurs — Lucas has worked on commercial real estate projects, while Kehr owns and run several gyms in Toronto — have been working on the project, in some fashion, for more than four years. They bought the property in May for $5.5 million and have spent an additional $2 million, at least, to cover club payroll, improve current facilities, update the fitness area, hire consultants and more. The club, in the city of Sarasota, is at 2170 Robinhood St., behind a Trader Joe’s and just south of Bee Ridge Road and U.S. 41, one of the busiest intersections in town.