Take a look at what architects pitch for a redesigned Cape Coral Yacht Club

Luis Zambrano, Fort Myers News-Press
·3 min read

New details, photos, and a video have emerged on the proposed changes to the Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park, changing it from an Old Florida feel to a 'Key West' vibe.

The city plans to present these updates on the Yacht Club at this week's committee of the whole meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday in council chambers at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.

Here's what we know.

Yacht Club changes explained

Cape Coral is planning massive changes to The Yacht Club community park, which will have a "Key West" vibe, two story community center, larger pool, and four-story parking structure.
Cape Coral is planning massive changes to The Yacht Club community park, which will have a "Key West" vibe, two story community center, larger pool, and four-story parking structure.

Cape Coral's Yacht Club Community Park, which includes a yacht basin, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a ballroom, and a beach, has served as a popular attraction and staple for the city since the 1960s, built and open just a few years after the city's inception in 1957 by brothers Jack and Leonard Rosen.

“Cape Coral Yacht and Racquet Club, accepted as the finest facility of its kind on the Gulf Coast,” boasts the caption of this undated postcard.
“Cape Coral Yacht and Racquet Club, accepted as the finest facility of its kind on the Gulf Coast,” boasts the caption of this undated postcard.

In 2018, voters approved a $60 million expansion of the city's parks and amenities through the Parks and Recreation General Obligation (GO) Bond. Part of that was intended for the Yacht Club.

The Cape Coral City Council originally planned to close and begin work on renovations for the park in 2021.

But then Hurricane Ian struck the city on Sept. 28, 2022, delaying the project with the council eventually opting to revamp the whole area, with the city pointing toward the high cost of repairs and being over FEMA's 50% rule as justification for moving forward with new buildings and amenities.

Longtime residents and former city officials opposed the plans - however, they could not sway the council to change its mind on the new plans.

Scenes of the Cape Coral Yacht Club on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The club including the beach is closing for two years to accommodate a renovation and extension of the beach.
Scenes of the Cape Coral Yacht Club on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The club including the beach is closing for two years to accommodate a renovation and extension of the beach.

What's featured in the new Yacht Club?

Cape Coral is planning massive changes to The Yacht Club community park, which will have a "Key West" vibe, two story community center, larger pool, and four-story parking structure.
Cape Coral is planning massive changes to The Yacht Club community park, which will have a "Key West" vibe, two story community center, larger pool, and four-story parking structure.

The current plans include a new two-story community center to replace the ballroom, removing the tennis courts, rearranging the area to accommodate a four-story parking garage, a new restaurant, and a new 14,500-square-foot resort-style pool.

Current parking at the park; including for boats, vehicles, and boat trailers, amounts to 551 total spaces.

The proposed changes would bring a four-story garage with approximately 685 parking spaces, 15 surface spaces at the main building, 46 boat trailers, and 158 boat slip spaces - totaling 904 parking spaces.

The new two-story community center would have 47,000 square feet and include a new ballroom, concession, history room, exterior balcony, storage and meeting space, and a multi-purpose hall.

Previous discussions estimate the cost of the project to be as much as $100 million.

Demolition has begun

Cape Coral is planning massive changes to The Yacht Club community park, which will have a "Key West" vibe, two story community center, larger pool, and four-story parking structure.
Cape Coral is planning massive changes to The Yacht Club community park, which will have a "Key West" vibe, two story community center, larger pool, and four-story parking structure.

Cape Coral has already begun the work toward these changes as demolition started this month.

The city will demolish the main buildings and attached amenities of the Yacht Club, including the ballroom building, the Tony Rotino Center, tennis courts, pool, and harbormaster.

Johnson-Laux Construction, a full-service construction management firm that operates out of Winter Garden, has been contracted to demolish and deconstruct the Yacht Club for $987,716.04.

The firm is also tasked with preserving a portion of the old ballroom building, which includes interior ceiling beams, stonework, a fountain, and interior doors.

Construction will not affect the beach area.

What's next? When's the completion?

Cape Coral is planning massive changes to The Yacht Club community park, which will have a "Key West" vibe, two story community center, larger pool, and four-story parking structure.
Cape Coral is planning massive changes to The Yacht Club community park, which will have a "Key West" vibe, two story community center, larger pool, and four-story parking structure.

A public meeting to review and showcase current Yacht Club designs will be held on May 7.

The city is still in the design phase and has no estimated timeframe for completion.

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at Lzambrano@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 'Key West' feel integral to proposed Cape Coral Yacht Club design