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Located on the Caloosahatchee River in Cape Coral, the Yacht Club Community Park Beach is now open with limited amenities. The Boathouse Restaurant sits right next to the beach is also open. The pier, and Yacht Club facilities remain closed due to damage from Hurricane Ian.

Note:   Pardon the dust. Demolition of the main ballroom building, the Tony Rotino Center, tennis courts, pool, and Harbormaster's building...

Note:   Pardon the dust. Demolition of the main ballroom building, the Tony Rotino Center, tennis courts, pool, and Harbormaster's building is expected to begin in Dec/Jan 2023. Fencing will surround the Yacht Club's facilities as work is being done and should have little to no impact on the beach or its parking.

26.5423669, -81.9538707

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5819 Driftwood Pkwy Cape Coral , FL 33904 United States

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ADA Accessible

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Portable toilet, picnic areas, sheltered pavilion, paddlecraft launch/landing, charcoal grills, sand volleyball court, hiking trails, food/concessions, ada-accessible amenities.

Designated disability parking; ADA-accessible restrooms

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Cape Coral Yacht Club beach reopens for public use

The yacht club itself remains closed for repairs due to the extensive damages from Ian.

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Yacht Club Beach - Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park

Yacht Club Beach , also known as Yacht Club Community Park , is a pristine public beach nestled in the coastal city of Cape Coral, Florida. Discover one of the best beaches, with its stunning white sand and crystal-clear waters, it offers visitors a serene and relaxing environment to soak up the sun and enjoy the beauty of nature. The beach is open to the public and provides free access year-round, making it an ideal spot for locals and tourists alike.

UPDATE October 2023: Yacht Club Beach - The public beach is expected to reopen sometime around November 10, 2023.

Cape Coral is a vibrant, sun-soaked haven of natural beauty, and Yacht Club Public Beach is its crown jewel. Found on the southern outskirts of the city limits, visitors are greeted with powdery white sand and a blissful wave-lapped shoreline that stretches for miles.

Yacht Club Beach, located on the Caloosahatchee River offers more than just breathtaking views – it’s also home to an array of activities and amenities that will make your visit even more enjoyable. From lounging in the sun on a beach chair or swing, to trying out some water sports such as jet skiing or paddle boarding, there’s something for everyone here! The beach also has facilities like changing rooms and restrooms, plus a restaurant called The Boathouse that makes for a great lunch spot if you don't want to bring a picnic lunch after a long morning on the sand.  The Boathouse serves breakfast, lunch and dinner right at the beach.  It's so nice to sit outside in the sun and see the views of Yacht Club Public Beach and the river.  Live music is played on weekends.

Even though our beach is small, it's perfect for families, and we don't have problems with partying spring-breakers, which is nice during March and April.

There's plenty of soft white sand and sunshine to please everyone. The beach is only a 15-minute drive from most of the Cape and parking is free.   Walk on the fishing pier, pack the beach toys, and bring a picnic to enjoy on the shoreline or a complete the day with a beautiful sunset and an evening of star-gazing.

 When I homeschooled, we would whoop it up a bit ... we'd grab our books, bikinis, beach gear, and hit the sand!

Kids will love the shaded playground when taking a break from sand and swimming.

Yacht Club Public Beach Recreation

At Yacht Club Beach , the fun never ends. Apart from swimming and sunbathing, visitors can engage in various water sports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and jet skiing. The beach also features volleyball courts, perfect for friendly matches under the sun. If you prefer a more laid-back experience, grab a book and relax under the shade of a palm tree, enjoying the gentle gulf breeze. The beach's amenities include restrooms, picnic areas, public boat ramp and convenient parking lot, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable visit for all.

It's fun to go to the Sunset Celebration, which happens the first Wednesday of the month from 4-7PM or 5-8PM,  depending on Daylight Savings, October - June.

You may be able to see hula dancers, fire eaters, and all kinds of musicians perform.

The video below will give you an idea of the fun going on:

During the celebration, there's a nice craft show at the ballroom pavilion.  

You'll find jewelry, clothing, food, herbs, plants, art, crafts, and gift items, or even tables set up by local businesses.

Sometimes there are special events, such as a car show ... and I have to say, my favorites from this show are the red cars and the snazzy orange one!

Make sure you stay late enough to watch the sunset ....... which can be spectacular!

In this video you can see the sun dropping below the horizon:

Even though the light is fading, Yacht Club Beach is still nice for a last little swim or a walk .

As you can see, our Cape Coral Beach is lots of fun all day long ...

*The beach pavilion has been torn down and there is now more room on the beach!

Yacht Club Public Beach in Cape Coral is a place unlike any other – not only does it offer stunning views of nature at its finest, but it also provides a sense of joy and peace that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s the perfect place to relax, explore, and create memories with friends and family – a treasure that will stay in your heart for years to come. Visit Yacht Club Beach today and experience all the wonders this beachfront paradise has to offer! 

• Yacht Club Beach in Cape Coral, Florida, is a hidden gem and stands out as one of the best public beaches Cape Coral.
• It offers a stunning beach setting with white sand and crystal-clear waters.
• The beach provides a wide range of recreational activities, including swimming, fishing, and water sports.
• Yacht Club Beach is part of the larger Cape Coral Yacht Club, which offers additional amenities and a vibrant community atmosphere.
• The beach is undergoing updates in 2023 to enhance visitors' experiences.
• The beach offers great photo opportunities with its scenic beauty and captivating sunsets.
• Visitors can enjoy excellent facilities and services, including restrooms, parking, and lifeguards.
• Important tips for visiting Yacht Club Beach include planning your visit during the best seasons and respecting beach rules.
• Yacht Club Beach is a cherished destination in Cape Coral, offering relaxation, adventure, and a memorable experience.

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Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach Reopens: Your Guide to Paradise

Cape Coral, Florida, is a beautiful coastal destination adorned by tourists from all around the world. This lively community is famous for its breathtaking waterfront views, pristine beaches, and delicious dining options. Unfortunately, the beloved Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach had to temporarily close due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. It’s a place known for its scenic beauty, waterfront dining and a variety of beach activities, and its absence has been deeply felt. On November 11 th , 2023, the Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach reopened, allowing both locals and tourists to enjoy all that the Yacht Club has to offer. With this beachfront gem now open once more, let’s explore what this reopening means for those visiting Cape Coral, Florida.

Enjoy a Cape Coral Beach Day

With the Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach now open again, visitors can enjoy a fun day at the beach. There is nothing quite like a Cape Coral Beach Day! Spend your time on the sand, soaking in the sun, and cooling off in the refreshing water. It’s the perfect setting for building sandcastles, reading a good book, or simply relaxing and enjoying the peaceful beach atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for adventure or a day of leisure, the Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach provides an ideal backdrop for a memorable day where you can create cherished memories.

Indulge with Waterfront Dining

With this reopening, guests can also treat themselves to a delightful waterfront dining experience at The Boathouse Tiki Bar and Grill . This local’s favorite is the perfect way to spend an evening, capturing the breathtaking sunset, sipping on delectable cocktails, and savoring a delicious meal. As the sun dips below the horizon, the tranquil waterfront setting at The Boathouse creates a captivating ambiance, making it an ideal spot to unwind and create lasting memories with family and friends.

Stay by the Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach

For an immersive Cape Coral Yacht Club experience, consider staying in the vicinity. Luckily, Roelens Vacations offers a range of options within walking distance! Whether you opt for the charming Villa Nana and Papa’s Beach House or the delightful Villa Beachside Bliss , you’ll be right in the heart of the Cape Coral action. These wonderful accommodations provide high-end comfort and private pool and spas, allowing you to not just visit but become a part of the vibrant pulse of this coastal paradise. With the Yacht Club’s exciting amenities and the stunning beach on your doorstep, your Cape Coral Vacation promises to be truly unforgettable.

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Riverside beach at cape coral yacht club reopens.

It is a landmark day for a Southwest Florida landmark; Riverside Beach is open at the Cape Coral Yacht Club for the first time since Hurricane Ian.

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CAPE CORAL, Fla. — It is a landmark day for a Southwest Florida landmark; Riverside Beach is open at the Cape Coral Yacht Club for the first time since Hurricane Ian.

“Having this open is the best thing in the world for everybody,” resident Lisa Zaboklicki said.

It’s been a long 13 months for Cape Coral residents. Zabokicki was the first to step into the sand Thursday morning.

“Since Ian, I haven’t been able to do that or walk the beach,” she said.

She couldn’t wait to dip her toes back into the water at the Riverside Beach.

“All the closed signs are gone, and the fences are down to me. The beach is open.”

The beach and the yacht club were closed due to hurricane damage.

“This area of our city was the hardest hit,” Mayor John Gunter said. “It looked like a war zone, so when you look around today, even though it does not look as good as we want it to look, I can tell you it looks ten times better.”

Although construction surrounds the beach, it’s not stopping anyone from relaxing with their toes in the sand now.

“Our beach is spectacular with all the new sand in the palm trees,” Zabokicki said.

Although the beach officially reopens tomorrow, some couldn’t wait any longer.

But more updates are coming. Beachgoers will be hearing construction sounds mixed with waves for some time.

“December or the beginning of January, we will start to demolish the building and all the additional site work that is still left but still in disrepair,” City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said.

The city is considering building a parking garage, a second pier, another restaurant, and a resort-style pool.

“Seawall that needs to be replaced,” City Councilman Bill Steinke said. “The docks that need to be replaced. We keep our eye on the permitting process daily.”

Yacht Club Public Beach

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Cape Coral set final site plan for the Yacht Club; timeline for renovations still shaky

Cape Coral City Council choose the final site plan for the Yacht Club, though the project is still at the mercy of permitting and has no set date.

The Cape Coral Yacht Club, which includes a yacht basin, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a ballroom, and a riverside beach, has served as a popular attraction and staple for the city since the 1960s but will soon undergo major renovations.

Here's what we know:

Changes to the Yacht Club site plan

James Pankonin with Kimley Horn, a consulting firm focusing on public and private developments, presented the information as a follow-up from a discussion in November.

There the council directed him to adjust the original renovation plans, which included a two-story community center, removing the tennis courts, and rearranging the area to accommodate a parking garage, a new restaurant, and a new resort-style pool.

The major updates based on previous comments now include:

•Realigned, curved entry into the park•Additional landscape buffering at the garage•Relocate the fountain to the park entry area•Shift the restroom on the beach to be more central•Maintain a walkable path connecting the beachfront•Prefer a longer pier and no restaurant at the pier•Resort pool with lap lane option•Provide a “quick snack” food option•Confirm parking counts per code based on uses

The proposed total parking at the yacht club includes 754 spaces: 596 for cars and boat trailers and 158 total boat slips.

There are currently 438 car parking spaces at the yacht club and 113 boat slips.

Pankonin said an additional proposed fourth level for the parking garage would provide an estimated 150 more parking spaces for a total of 904.

The new two-story community center would have 37,000 square feet and include a new ballroom, retail space, exterior balcony, storage and meeting space, and a multi-purpose hall.

Previous discussions  said the project could cost up to $100 million.

Previous Coverage Cape Coral making major changes to the Yacht Club Community Park

Related Cape Coral's Yacht Club Beach is open, how will renovations affect its availability?

Cape Coral Council OKs new design, wants fourth floor of parking

The council overwhelmingly favored the changes and new design, but they had some minor adjustments.

Councilmember Tom Hayden said some details still need to be worked out with the pool and fountain, but he likes the new designs.

He wanted to explore adjusting the length and lanes of the pool for competitive uses and find a way to make the fountain more visible to people entering and leaving the area.

Hayden favors adding a fourth parking floor to the garage.

"I think that's always going to be my biggest concern is to make sure that we have adequate parking and people are not hunting for space," Hayden said.

He said he still wants to see a room dedicated to the old Yacht Club.

Councilmember Bill Steinke asked about the pool lanes, and Hayden said he wanted to see eight lanes for competitions.

Steinke said he views the pool element more as a recreational amenity than competitive, so eight lanes is a bit much for him.

"You are not going to do competitive events in 25 meters, so I think expanding it a little bit for four lanes would be good," Steinke said.

New Councilmember Richard Carr said he also wanted to see a fourth level of parking, with parking spaces for the disabled taken into account.

Councilmember Dan Sheppard said he commends the work on the new design and is for it 100%.

"I believe this will be an extreme asset to our city, " Sheppard said.

He agrees with Stienke on the part of a recreational pool and wants to see a competitive pool elsewhere in the city.

Sheppards also wants the fourth floor of parking.

Mayor John Gunter sees the yacht club as a recreational facility and prefers a few lap lanes.

He also wants additional finger piers on the existing pier location.

"We want to make sure we maximize that access," Gunter said.

He also agrees with adding to parking.

"You'll probably be at capacity day one, so I would advocate for that fourth level," Gunter said.

Councilmembers Keith Long, Jessica Cosden, and Robert Welsh also agree with the fourth floor of parking.

Permitting woes could delay work to rebuild Yacht Club

Though the city is making headway in its vision for the Yacht Club, permitting creates uncertainty on when things can move forward.

Cape Coral is planning to demolish the main buildings at the yacht club, including the main ballroom building, the Tony Rotino Center, tennis courts, pool, and harbormaster.

Previously slated for demolition in late December/January, city officials anticipate getting under contract with a company for demolition within 30 days.

"Once under contract, the company will apply for permits with the City and begin demolition activities," said Cape Coral spokesperson Kaitlyn Mullen in an email statement.

Residents can use the beach while the demolition takes place.

Spokesperson Melissa Mickey confirms that no date is set on when demolition will begin.

Steinke asked about repairs to the boat launch to make it usable before demolition and groundbreaking starts.

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said they are waiting on permits from the Army Corps of Engineers.

He said the city will provide information on whether that will be beneficial in terms of time and resources, as they will need that space closed once demolition begins.

"So it's kinda like a crystal ball planning, so we can say go and repair the finger pier and say that we are going to open it, but then it's just time depended on the demolition permit and the Army Corps," Ilczyszyn said.

Ilczyszyn said if the city starts demolition within 30 days, it could take 60 to 90 days to complete, and he anticipates that by May, the city could have the permit necessary to start marine work.

Ilczyszyn could not answer if all the work at the yacht club could be finished within the next three to four years.

He also clarifies that after the demolition is over, there will be a period before construction can begin.

"We are still on two years for the site," Ilczyszyn said. "Now it's just how long does it take to design this and construct it?"

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

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral make final site plan for Yacht Club, here's what we know.

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Cape coral yacht club community center set for 'key west-inspired' makeover.

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The new Cape Coral Yacht Club is getting an "Old Florida" facelift. Cape Coral City Council members decided on a "Key West aesthetic" for the community center.

At Tuesday's Cape Coral City Council meeting, developers presented three design options for the new community center at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. The yacht club was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

Developers described option one as a "Key West-inspired- aesthetic". Number two is very similar to the original yacht club building with wood and stone features. Option three is a more modern design. Three council members, including Bill Steinke, Robert Welsh and Jessica Cosden voted for option two.

"I think it's important that we stick to what we talked about. I don't think we made a promise, but I think we talked about incorporating the old building in this design," said District 7 Council member Jessica Cosden.

Five council members, including Mayor John Gunter, Dan Sheppard, Tom Hayden, Richard Carr, and Keith Long voted for option one.

"I just appreciate the aesthetic of the old Key West. I think we should also keep in mind; we just had a discussion at the CRA meeting, I believe, with regards to keeping the coastal theme in that particular area. I think we utilize the yacht club plans as a reference for that," said District 6 Council member Keith Long.

No one voted for the third option.

This means developers will move on with option one. Cape Coral City Council will continue to discuss design plans in two upcoming meetings on April 2 and May 7.

The new community center will be 2 stories totaling 47,000 square feet. It will have plenty of space for events in its ballroom, multi-purpose hall and meeting spaces. It will also have a kitchen, bathrooms and space for retail. Designs also show a wrap-around balcony and open foyer.

A spokesperson with the City of Cape Coral said the deconstruction process has begun in preparation for the demolition of the buildings. According to the city's website, demolition is supposed to begin next month.

Cape Coral Animal Shelter plans expansions, asks city for help on impact fees and land

T he Cape Coral Animal Shelter is planning a much-needed expansion and is asking the city for help with capital expansion fees and the use of a city parcel.

A committee of the whole meeting was held on Wednesday seeking the council's direction on whether to move forward with assisting the organization in its endeavors.

"We are not asking the city to fund our building, we are asking for your help with the capital expansion fees," Cape Coral Animal Shelter President JoAnn Elardo said.

Assistant City Manager Connie Barron said the shelter approached the city a few months ago to inform them of its intention to build a two-story building and expand services. They do not known when they will reach a decision on the request.

"We have a fast-expanding city — it is growing in leaps and bounds and so are the needs of our community," Cape Coral Animal Shelter Executive Director Liz McCauley wrote in an email statement. "Our hope is to have this built within a 2-1/2 year time frame, but that will depend on donors and the city of Cape Coral."

Utility capital expansion fees, or impact fees, are one-time fees for new developments to help expand utilities such as water, sewer, and irrigation.

She said the estimated fees for the new building total nearly $65,000.

Cape Coral Animal Shelter's previous city agreement

An ordinance was approved in 2016 that allowed the nonprofit shelter to build and operate a no-kill animal shelter and adoption facility on a 4.2-acre parcel owned by the city.

The shelter is 325 SW 2nd Ave., adjacent to Lake Kennedy in the city's mid-quadrant below Pine Island Road.

The agreement also established a 99-year lease for $1 annually.

In 2017, the city also approved a resolution to pay for fees associated with constructing an 8,200-square-foot building.

Barron said the fees totaled more than $71,000 and included impact fees.

In August 2020, the shelter added a full-service, affordable veterinary clinic.

Expansion and shelter successes explained

The new two-story building expansion would be on the existing 4.2-acre site and cost $8 million.

It will be 19,797 square feet: 16,789 square feet on the first floor and 3,008 square feet on the second floor.

The new building will house all shelter operations: kennels, cat rooms, adoption area, offices, laundry, storage, and multi-purpose room for events, training, and classes.

The current building will be reconfigured to expand the clinic, and the current kennels will become dog intake/quarantine.

Forty-eight parking spaces will be added to the site totaling 93 parking spaces.

The shelter is also asking the city to use an adjacent city-owned parcel containing 14,767 square feet, 0.339 acres, increasing its footprint to 4.53 acres. This added space will be used for training and playing purposes for the animals.

Elardo, the shelter founder and president, said they have adopted and saved more than 4,500 dogs and cats in the community, 68% from Cape Coral.

She said the clinic helps more than 6,625 clients, 80% of whom are Cape Coral residents.

"Our clinic helps our seniors and community who are on a fixed income be able to afford care for their pet," Elardo said.

Elardo said the work the shelter does extends beyond daily activities at the shelter.

"The Cape Coral shelter has been an integral part of the city in any disaster and need," Elardo said.

She said during Hurricane Ian, the shelter gave away pet carriers for free by having hundreds on standby for natural disasters.

"Since our inception, we have donated tens of thousands of dollars in food and care right here in Cape Coral," Elardo said.

She said the shelter cost nearly $2 million a year to run the shelter.

Cape Council's response

Many on the Cape Coral Council expressed great gratitude and support for the shelter and its planned expansion.

Council member Richard Carr who said he recognized the significant impact the shelter work has, asked staff if it would be beneficial to give the rest of the parcel to the organization

"I think it might be beneficial for the area for dog walking," Carr said. "We are almost chopping a piece out of something that's unusable somewhere else."

Elardo said the additional space can be used for training police dogs.

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said the rest of the parcel will be used as a walkway to divide the parking lots and other city facilities in the area.

Councilmembers Bill Steinke, Dan Sheppard, Robert Welsh, and Keith Long also expressed support for the shelter and its efforts.

However, Mayor John Gunter, who supports the shelter, expressed concerns about helping a non-profit with monetary contributions as it could be a "slippery slope."

“We used to have a program many years ago where we gave monies to nonprofits and that policy was disbanded and we no longer do that,” Gunter said. "My fear that I have is if we open this door, that slippery slope, those other 769 nonprofit organizations could come forward and ask for the same type of contribution."

He asked the council members if they would be willing to go down this path with other organizations.

Councilmember Jessica Cosden said the city did the construction-related fees in 2017 and hasn’t had other requests.

"I hear what you are saying mayor, but I think this is a very unique case and it doesn’t fit in with the rest of the nonprofits,” she said.

Councilmember Tom Hayden said he had the same concerns as the mayor but recognizes the value the shelter brings.

"I will support this," Hayden said.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral Animal Shelter plans expansions, asks city for help on impact fees and land

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‘Coastal’ design for Yacht Club center gets nod

By meghan bradbury - | mar 14, 2024.

The selected concept design. PROVIDED

Cape Coral City Council has agreed to go coastal for the design of the planned community center to replace the Yacht Club ballroom.

The majority of the elected board opted for a “coastal vernacular feel” during their workshop on Wednesday.

There were three design options on the table: The preferred option one with its Key West vibe; option two, intended to evoke the design of the current historic structure; and option three, a more modern look that received no support.

Mayor John Gunter and Councilmembers Dan Sheppard, Keith Long, Tom Hayden and Richard Carr opted for option one.

Those who preferred design two — a lodge-type look featuring wood or wood-type accents — included Councilmembers Bill Steinke and Jessica Cosden.

Councilmember Robert Welsh said he did not see a lot of differences between designs one and two and, although he liked the look of two, he could go with either.

The footprint, meanwhile, has been expanded to 47,000 square feet over two stories.

John Bryant, of Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors, said as they worked on the floor plan of the new Community Center, they wanted to maintain that experience of coming into the entrance foyer and seeing the multipurpose hall. He said there is an experience and significance to the Cape Coral community to have that large multipurpose hall.

Each of the three options provide a general feel and vibe, he said, adding the actual design will evolve over the course of the months ahead.

The first design provides a feel similar to the park building they are doing at Lake Kennedy Center.

Bryant said the look and feel of the building has a Key West style with a deep overhang, articulation, and ornamental design.

The second option stemmed from the existing Yacht Club building. He said they have a lot of design materials with which to work as the existing space is 10,000 square feet compared to the planned 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot Community Center.

“This option likely will use more of a stone based, mid-century feel with some exposed heavy timber. There is an opportunity to further develop this option to have even more of the existing Yacht Club feel,” Bryant said.

There is probably not much of a cost difference between the first and second design options, he said.

“Either one can be designed within a similar construction cost,” he said, adding the second option could be a little more expensive.

James Pankonin, with Kimley-Horn and Associates, said one of the areas that came up during previous discussions was the area on the first floor of the Community Center.

They discussed the opportunity to program that portion of the building to have more functional space.

The revised Community Center floor plan now includes a total of 47,000 square feet, with the majority being on the first floor for 27,250 square feet and the remainder, 19,750, spread out on the second floor. The prior square footage was 37,000 square feet – 20,000 square feet on the first floor, and 17,000 square feet on the second.

The revised first-floor plan includes additional meeting space, storage and a small loading and receiving area on the side of the building. There is also more functional space on the pool deck and water.

Pankonin said the restroom, located on the pool deck, has a combined building for the beach area as well. The split level provides control access from the pool deck side with the beach restroom users needing a card to get into the pool deck.

With the combined plumbing and infrastructure, the structure grew in size. The pool deck level restroom also includes showers and changing facilities, which the beach entry side restroom does not.

Another change includes the pump building, with a corner including a lifeguard area big enough to allow a lifeguard table, or a small lifeguard administration office. This building, he said, is another control access to the pool area.

The second floor is largely the same in terms of use. The ballroom has been shifted out and there is a large open area looking over the multipurpose room on the second floor.

Pankonin said on April 2 there will be a public meeting regarding the design, with a follow-up on May 7. They are working on a 3D model of the site with the anticipation of presenting some of the views at the April 2 meeting.

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said they will begin working with Kimley-Horne on putting those renderings together to be brought out to the community to let them know what is decided for the park. He said when they send it to the design team after the community sees the vision for the plan, they can work the design to move it to the next steps to get the construction management team to begin managing it.

They will then come back to Council during a workshop to make an amendment to the contract for design elements for the structure.

The amendment is due to the new ballroom, Community Center, pool pump house, lifeguard stations and restrooms. It will come to Council right before its next hiatus, or when they return from hiatus.

It was brought up during public comment that the historic building of the Yacht Club should not be torn down and that it was not severely damaged by the hurricane.

Ilczyszyn said through extensive records request they found that there was a designation that the Yacht Club park, in its entirety, was designated as a historic area by the historical board.

“The structure itself is not, and was not,” he said.

As far as Hurricane Ian damage, Ilczyszyn said all the glass was broken, and there was ballroom roof damage and the electric circuit breakers that fed the ballroom were destroyed.

The ballroom building, built by the city’s founders, received designation by the state as an historic building last year.

According to the city’s insurance claim, hurricane-related damage to the ballroom building itself was estimated at $25,000.

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What's the future of Cape Coral's Yacht Club? Council ponders massive project

Thanks to Hurricane Ian, Cape Coral officials are looking to change the Yacht Club as we know it and start over, with a project that could cost as much as $100 million.

Mayor John Gunter said the previously approved design avoided the "nucleus" of the yacht club and was focused heavily on the outer perimeter such as the sea walls, docks, and landscaping.

"So now that we've had the damage with our buildings on the interior of this project, now it's almost an open canvas, an open area," Mayor John Gunter told The News-Press.

The changes could include a new two-story ballroom, removing the tennis courts, and rearranging the area to accommodate a parking garage and restaurant.

Hurricane Ian left a severe mark on the city of Cape Coral and its residents, and after months of recovery, the city government discussed options Thursday for its premier gemstone: the Yacht Club Community Park.

During its January city retreat, the city council decided to take a "clean slate" approach to renovate the heavily damaged facilities.

The damaged facilities include the likes of the ballroom, the Tony Rotino Center, and the pier, which could take $1.5 million to repair .

City Manager Rob Hernandez wanted direction from the city council on how the city should proceed with renovations.

"Based on our calculations, we are above the 50% FEMA rule, and so it's likely that we're not going to be able to repair the buildings and that we're gonna have to start from scratch," Hernandez said.

The 50% rule requires structures with substantial damage, or damage exceeding 50% of their market value, to meet the same requirements as new construction and current hurricane code, such as elevating the buildings.

The Yacht Club area, which includes the yacht basin, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a ballroom, and a riverside beach, has served as a popular attraction and staple for the city since the 1960s.

It was scheduled to close for two years to renovate the area and was waiting for permit approval, but Ian put those plans on hold while the city recovered.

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Changes to the Yacht Club

James Pankonin, a landscape architect with Kimley-Horn, gave a presentation explaining possible changes that can be made to the design of the project.

He explained that design plans are 90% complete, Wright Construction is preparing a pricing update, and permits with the various city, state, and federal agencies are filed and under review.

The council supports changing the direction and reconfiguring the design of the Yacht Club with some suggesting a bigger ballroom, possibly removing the tennis courts, and changing the placement of the facilities to accommodate a parking garage.

"I don't want to lose the historical nature of the ballroom and what it meant," Councilman Tom Hayden said during the discussion.

The mayor said that with all these changes, the project could easily cost $100 million, so exploring public-private partnerships will also be on the table and lead to more restaurants or shops.

Councilmembers Bill Steinke, Hayden, and Gunter discussed eliminating the tennis courts as the council recently approved plans for more courts at Lake Kennedy.

"For me, I've never thought tennis courts at the yacht club were the best use of land anyways," Gunter said.

Councilmember Patty Cummings suggested completing the project in phases , and Hernandez agreed since the facilities are currently closed.

"I would think that Wright could develop a phasing plan for the landside construction to bring things on board incrementally," Hernandez said.

Cape Yacht Club original plans Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park to close for two years for renovations

Cape Go Bond Cape Coral residents pass $60 million bond referendum for parks

More on tennis Cape Coral tennis buffs fear losing out as city plans park changes

What's Next?

Kimley-Horn will take the feedback and work on new designs, which will be presented to the council in the coming months.

"I would say up to about 90 days to at least get a preliminary, like I said this is going to be a multi-step process," Gunter said.

The city will then provide the council with finance options, possibly going the route of using bonds as previously discussed.

"There'll be a cost analysis that they will provide at that time, and then I'm sure our finance director will give us some scenarios a different type of funding mechanisms," Gunter said.

To residents worried about future changes, the mayor said there will be several chances in upcoming meetings to address the council.

"And I can see our developer or designer coming back several times, so council, staff, the community can all weigh in and craft it and move to the next step, and the next step until we get a final draft ," Gunter said added.

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

'Dream come true': Hurricane Ian-destroyed Matlacha restaurant to open Cape Coral location

It was just too good for Erik Lebsack and Kyle Sherman to pass up.

And so they didn’t.

The owners of Hooked Island Grill will open a new location at the corner of SE 10 th  Place and  SE 47 th  Terrace  in South Cape near Club Square. It’s taking over the spot vacated by Big Storm Brewing in  September. It was also home to JoAnn Elardo’s Big Blue Brewing from October 2016 to August 2020 and a bingo hall before that.

“We couldn’t say no,” Lebsack said. “The building, the location. It’s right at the heart of the entertainment district. Right on the corner of Bike Night, the New Year’s Eve ball drop, the Pride event — all right there. It’s a dream come true. This one we couldn’t say no to.”

They found out they got the coveted spot just before Christmas.

“We were a little surprised,” Lebsack said. “We had some stiff competition. We knew the (building and property) owner (Elardo) liked our concept, liked our food and wanted to keep it local. We also have Franco Russo as a minority partner. It worked out good for us.”

It will be the second operating Hooked location for Lebsack and Sherman. They opened one in the Gulf Coast Town Center a year ago after Hurricane Ian destroyed their original Matlacha restaurant.

With Two Meatballs in the Kitchen and Stones Throw along Cape Coral Parkway, it will be the third restaurant in South Cape for Russo and his sixth overall (with Two Meatballs in Fort Myers and Fresh Catch and Junkanoo on Fort Myers Beach).

“We had talked about doing a project with him already,” Lebsack said. “Kyle worked for Franco before we did Hooked. We all have different ideas and all the things we’ve done have been successful. It seems like a pretty good group. We’re excited.”

Pizza is in the plan

And they already have plans for the building.

Take the back brewery room for example.

“That’s going to be its own pizza place,” Lebsack said of the space that will have a different name than Hooked. “It will be sealed up and have its own entrance. We want to cater to the nightlife. Hooked will be open regular business hours, but we will serve slices late night out of there on big bar nights.”

"We will have a pizza oven on one side," said Sherman. "We'll just have things that can be cooked in that oven — pizza, calzones, stromboli, knots. The other side will be for ice cream."

As for the restaurant overall, it will have its own style.

“Each location is a little different,” Lebsack said. “Matlacha is nothing like Gulf Coast Town Center. The vibe is different. It’s not come in a swimsuit and bare feet. We went from beach shabby to beach chic.”

The South Cape location is also going to have its own feel as well.

“It won’t look a ton like Fort Myers,” Lebsack said, “But it will have the same color scheme and the same really cool bar treatment. But in our typical fashion, we will make it look like something no one has done in this area. We do things that don’t look like other places. I think it will fit right in with the entertainment district. It’ll make a really good addition to the area.”

A menu months in the making

The menu, which Lebsack says they’ve been working on for months, falls into the same category. It’s been going through the idea, then trial and error stage to make sure it can be served in a timely fashion.

“We don’t want to be the same as everybody else,” he said. “We always want people to walk away with an experience that wows them. We want them to think the food is amazing. We don’t want to do just different. It needs to be really good.”

Think lobster meatballs with shrimp, panko and a vodka sauce served over gnocchi. Or the sushi dog which has been a big hit in the Fort Myers restaurant since its opening. Or the tropical pineapple bowl and Magnum Mary — a weekend brunch favorite with crab, lobster roll, shrimp, sausage, bacon and even cheese curds and more.

And you can expect the snow crab special — all you can eat within two hours for $40 on a select day or two — at the new location too.

“We started on the menu in October and keep tweaking it,” Lebsack said. “We’re looking for the wow factor. It has to taste just right and be easy to execute.”

The finished product will roll out in the Gulf Coast Town Center location where the Cape Coral staff (a job fair will be held in early February) can be trained and ready for the Cape opening.

“I think March is a fairly realistic timeline,” Lebsack said. “I’ll say we hope that’s how it works out. If we can go earlier, we will. If it’s later, that’s fine. We aren’t going to open just to be open. We pushed to open in Gulf Coast Town Center so we could get people back to work and establish something normal after the hurricane.”

Is Matlacha still a go?

Even when Lebsack and Sherman opened in Fort Myers, they still planned to rebuild the Ian-destroyed Matlacha location.

“Our intention was to go back to Matlacha,” Lebsack said. “We’ve met with the landowner half a dozen times. Each time we think we’ll get started, we don’t. We have zero control over it. We keep waiting.”

And if Matlacha is a go?

“If the opportunity arises, we will still go back,” he said “That’s home. Being on the water is a feature you can’t create. If we are allowed to, I’ll get back there. I’m not sure we will make it another Hooked since there will be one in Cape. It may be a different concept but our goal is still to get back out there.”

In the meantime, season’s coming and there’s the busy Gulf Coast Town Center Hooked , plus the new Cape one.

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“It’s pretty unbelievable, the amount of people excited to see us on this side of the bridge,” Lebsack said. “We’re only 15 minutes away from the original location and a lot of customers are saying they can’t wait. It’s a homecoming of sorts. Not all the way home, but it’s a homecoming.”

Hooked Island Grill, coming to 4721 SE 10 th Place, Cape Coral; open at 9924 Gulf Coast Main St., Suite 130, Fort Myers in the Gulf Coast Town Center, (239) 313-7142; follow Cape Coral and Fort Myers locations on Facebook

Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send news to  [email protected] .