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Home  Yacht Club Community Park

NOTE : While the City is dedicated to fulfilling this project as planned, it is no longer being funded by the Parks GO Bond. This is largely due to unexpected increases in costs. July 17, 2024 - Update (from Regular City Council Meeting) Cape Coral City Council approved design plans for the Yacht Club and its pier during the July 17, 2024 Council Meeting. T he elected board passed a pair of resolutions:

The new complex will feature an island ambiance anchored by a two-story community center, resort-style pool, and related amenities.

Looking for more information?  --> View the Yacht Club Project History (before April 2024) and Archived Presentations .

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Cape coral yacht club community park to close for construction.

Depending on the permitting process, the project is tentatively scheduled to begin on March 31, 2022, with construction expected to take 20-24 months to complete.

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CAPE CORAL, Fla. – The design of the updated Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park is nearing 90% completion with the preconstruction and construction schedules taking shape.

See renderings of planned updates to the Yacht Club Community Park below:

Due to safety concerns, the entire Yacht Club Community Park will be closed to the public during construction. This includes the public beach, pier, boat ramps, tennis courts, community pool, Tony Rotino Center, and Godman Yacht Basin.

Parks staff has been working on relocation assistance for vessels docked in the marina, as well as alternative locations for meetings and programs to take place while the Yacht Club is closed for construction.

The Boathouse restaurant is the only facility scheduled to remain open during construction; however, patron access will be limited to designated walkways that are clear of active project areas, and onsite parking will be limited.

For more details, visit the Yacht Club project website at www.CCYachtClub.com . The website includes project updates, renderings, the approved concept plan, and tentative project timeline, and serves as a one-stop source where you can find accurate and timely information about the construction project.

The Parks GO Bond includes improvements to several existing parks plus the development of seven new neighborhood parks, three community parks, and one environmental park.

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Cape coral’s yacht club community park to shut down for improvements.

The only thing that will stay open for business is the boathouse.

The shutdown would save the project four months in construction time and at least $340,000, but those savings could increase once the bid goes out, and a construction company gets started.

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Live webcams, #myfortmyers moments, plan your trip, digital visitor guide, yacht club beach.

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 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 is...

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

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5819 Driftwood Pkwy Cape Coral , FL 33904 United States

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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.

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Cape Coral launches Yacht Club Community Park project website

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The City of Cape Coral recently launched a new website, www.ccyachtclub.com , to keep residents informed on the Yacht Club Community Park improvements that are being funded in part by the Parks GO Bond. Cape Coral voters approved the $60 million Bond in 2018, which will fund parks and recreation improvements throughout the city.

Website visitors can sign up for news and updates that will be delivered directly to their email inbox. The website includes project renderings and the approved concept plan for the project. A construction timeline will be added to the website when it is available. The goal of the website is to provide accurate information about the construction project.

City Council approved the Yacht Club Community Park concept plan in October 2020. The plan includes moving the boat ramp to the yacht basin area, an expanded beach area, a parking garage, a harbormaster and police marine unit building, seawall replacement, landscaping, and a barrier for yacht basin customers.

The estimated cost of improvements is about $36 million with about $14 million of the cost being funded by the Parks GO Bond.

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

N ew 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'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 .

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.

What's featured in the new Yacht Club?

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 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?

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 [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official .

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Take a look at what architects pitch for a redesigned Cape Coral Yacht Club

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The Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park is preparing to undergo major construction as part of the Parks GO Bond improvement project. Closure of the entire Yacht Club Community Park, including the ballroom, beach, boat ramp, pier, pool, tennis courts, marina, and senior center, will begin on April 1.  

Closure of the park is required due to the extent of the construction and renovations taking place.  Most of the park’s programs will be relocated to other facilities during this closure

The renovation at the Yacht Club involves:

• Replacing the seawalls
• Replacing marina wet slips
• Demolition of the harbormaster building
• Demolition of the boat ramp
• Relocation of utilities
• Construction of a parking garage
• Construction of beach restrooms
• Construction of a new harbormaster building
• Construction of a new boat ramp

While we understand closing the park will be an inconvenience to our residents and visitors, keeping portions of the park related to the aforementioned construction open would pose a safety risk to our visitors and residents that can be avoided by this temporary closure.   

Planned park improvements are based on the City’s Parks Master Plan and will transform the Yacht Club Community Park into a resort-style atmosphere.  Construction is expected to take approximately two years.   

The privately-operated Boathouse restaurant will remain open during construction. 

There will be a formal update to City Council on the Yacht Club Community Park construction and other Parks GO Bond projects in March.  Stay informed!  Check out the project website and sign up for the Yacht Club Project Newsletter online at   ccyachtclub.com .

Residents with questions specific to the Yacht Club Project may call 239-574-0806 or email  [email protected] . 

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Pre-construction work for Yacht Club renovation nearly complete

By staff | feb 2, 2022.

Rendition of the planned renovation of the Cape Coral Yacht Club

Wright Construction Group is coming to a close on the pre-construction phase on Cape Coral’s Yacht Club Renovation, with the construction documents and environmental permitting being about 90% complete, officials said Wednesday.

“Final pricing for the improvements will take place during January and February,” a release announcing the progress issued Wednesday states. “Because the safety of the Cape Coral community and surrounding areas is of utmost importance, the entire Yacht Club Community Park is scheduled to close in April for approximately two years. However, the Boat House Restaurant will remain open during construction.”

The Yacht Club Community Park, built in 1962 by the city’s developers, is one of Cape Coral’s first parks. Current amenities include a public beach on the Caloosahatchee River with picnic shelters and barbecue grills, a community pool, a marina, boat ramps, and a fishing pier. The park also houses the Yacht Club Ballroom, Tony Rotino Center, the Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill, tennis and racquetball courts, shuffleboard courts, and a beach playground area.

“The renovation will equip the Yacht Club to better serve its community, including a new three-story parking garage and a new four lane boat ramp,” the update release states. “These improvements will help the city continue the legacy established at the inception of the Yacht Club 60 years ago.”

About Wright Construction Group

Wright Construction Group is honored to be working with the City of Cape Coral to revitalize the landmark that has played such a large role in the formation of Southwest Florida.

For over seven decades, Wright Construction Group has been the builder of choice for many businesses, governmental agencies, schools, and other commercial enterprises.

Specializing in both building and civil construction, Wright Construction offers Construction Management, Design-Build, and General Contracting services to a wide variety of public and private clients. The mission at Wright is to build client loyalty through relentless service. The main office is at 5811 Youngquist Road in Fort Myers. For more information, visit www.wcgfl.com .

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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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4807 Sunset Court #607,  Cape Coral, FL 33904

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Location! location! location! Live Downtown Cape Coral in one of it's most well known buildings. Set back from Cape Coral Parkway on the Bimini Basin beside Four Freedoms Park you are close to all that Downtown has to offer walk or cycle to restaurants, shopping, nightlife, beach, yacht Club, doctors offices. With a bus stop right outside you can travel to Ft Myers for shopping beaches and beyond. and more. From your wrap around balcony you can watch the most amazing sunsets, while you are protected from the elements by impact floor to ceiling sliding glass doors This area is currently undergoing a regeneration bringing even more to the area. Sunset towers offers a huge community pool, exercise room and club room with regular activities, plus boat slips available to rent on a first come first serve basis, making this a great community to live in.

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Election 2024: Who won the Cape Coral City Council primary?

The top-two vote-getters in each Cape Coral City Council election 2024 race have been determined as of the primary. Now, they will face each other in the November election.

In Cape Coral, council positions are elected at-large. Terms are four years long, and members are limited to two consecutive terms. As the position is nonpartisan, all voters, Republican, Democrat and other, get to vote on these candidates.

Council members are paid a base annual salary of $37,368.96. Last year, the council approved stipends worth another $39,996 a year, which has proven to be an unpopular choice with this year's slate of candidates.

District 2 covers the southwest portion of Cape , bound by Veteran's Memorial Parkway to the north, extending halfway between Chiquita Boulevard South and Skyline Boulevard to the east, curving further east along Cape Coral Parkway West, and ending where El Dorado Parkway curves to the northeast.

Dan Sheppard , the incumbent, ran against Laurie Lehmann and Craig Unroe .

Final returns posted by Lee County’s Supervisor of Elections website showed Lehmann the projected winner. Lehmann took more than 40% of the vote, garnering 10,789 votes. Her next-closest opponent, Sheppard, took home 32% of the vote; 8,608 people cast their votes for him.

Now, the two will face off in the November general election.

“(I'm) just thankful that the citizens voted for me, have confidence in me and want to move me forward,” said Sheppard, who finished second. He declined to talk about the impact the stipend issue might have in November’s match-up after a night that knocked out a fellow incumbent.

More: Election 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 2 candidate Craig Unroe Q&A: Priorities

Dan Sheppard, 61

Previous Experience: Incumbent started own New Jersey business in 1984 as architectural millwork designer and manufacturer that became provider for casinos, hospitals, large retail chains such as JCPenney, and the U.S. Postal Service. Owning three retail stores until a move to Florida, he started Sheppard Landscape in Cape Coral in 1999, incorporating in 2005, and then later, Palm Source Pine Island, which grows and sells palms to U.S. and Bahamas landscape firms. He said he's active supporting and donating to many Cape Coral non-profit groups.

Top Priorities: "The top priority is to remove the lock at the south spreader canal, completing infrastructure, beautifying medians, sidewalks, investing in parks and additional green space and protecting the quality of our waterways."

More: Election 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 2 candidate Dan Sheppard Q&A: Priorities

Laurie Lehmann, 70

Previous Experience: District 2 resident since 2004, she's a retired registered nurse. With bachelor's degree in economics/accounting, she said she previously was accountant at New Jersey commercial construction firm. She also was involved with bids, contract negotiations through projects for large pharmaceutical and chemical firms and was an Occupational Safety and Health officer. She's been active with Save Jaycee Park group.

Top Priorities: "In District 2, we have a flooding problem when it rains. Also, we have a park that is a fire liability. These are both priorities. I feel we need to know what $2.5 million was spent on in the park and rectify the fire hazard that could damage peoples’ homes with the dead broken trees and vegetation.  We were to have a 50-foot fire barrier bordering the park and, as yet, it is nonexistent.  Storm drains and sewers need to be cleaned out not just in District 2 but throughout the city.  We need to maintain what we already have before spending money on new projects."

More: Election 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 2 candidate Laurie Lehmann Q&A: Priorities

District 3 is bound by Northeast Pine Island Road to the north, Cultural Park Boulevard South and Santa Barbara Boulevard to the west, Archer Parkway to the south and Country Club Boulevard to the east.

Incumbent Tom Hayden did not seek reelection for the four-year term. Instead, Daniel Ludlow , Chad Bruening , Derrick Donnell and Deborah Lee McCormick all ran for the position.

In the District 3 Cape Coral City Council race, Donnell and McCormick had the most votes, according to final numbers. Donnell took top honors at 32% or 8,409 votes cast for him; McCormick trailed slightly at just under 30% or 7,757 votes cast. They will face off in the Nov. 5 general election, eliminating Ludlow and Bruening from contention for the four-year term.

“I’m incredibly thankful to God, my family and everyone who has assisted me on this campaign,” McCormick said.  “The voters chose myself and Mr. Donnell to be the candidates for District 3, and I wish the best of luck to him in this campaign.

"Going into November, I want voters to know that I’m one of them. I’m a citizen who wants to see her city thrive. Let’s rescind the stipend, restore citizen boards, protect Jaycee Park and make life more affordable for our citizens by making government more efficient.”

More: Election 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 3 candidate Daniel Ludlow Q&A: Priorities

Derrick Donnell, 60

Previous Experience: Lee School District educator and former administrator and director of professional standards, equity and recruitment; Florida SouthWestern College adjunct professor; U.S. Marine commissioned officer; University of Central Florida doctorate's degree in education; Jackson State University master’s and bachelor’s degrees; former member of Cape city council, Lee Human Services Council, Metropolitan Planning Organization and Citizens Advisory Committee.

Top Priorities: "The top priorities impacting my district are restoring confidence in the city council by rescinding the current stipend, implementing smart growth policies, ensuring sidewalks are a component of all future developments, and improving both current traffic patterns and the conditions of the canals. The first issue council must tackle is to begin the hard work of restoring confidence in the city council by rescinding the current stipend."

More: Election 2024: Cape Coral Council District 3 candidate Derrick Donnell Q&A: Priorities

Deborah McCormick, 68

Previous Experience: She describes herself as a 35-year civil servant with the state and a volunteer and member with Grace Church in Cape Coral. 

Top Priorities: "Although I’m running to represent District 3, I’m accountable to every Cape Coral voter as members of the City Council are elected citywide. Therefore, my top priority, as well as what my priority for the city will be, is to restore trust back in our city council. This can be done by reestablishing citizen advisory boards to respect the views of citizens, rescinding the stipend and amending the charter so a future council can’t circumvent voters ever again, and supporting our first responders so our city remains safe for all of our residents. The first issue that I would tackle would be the egregiously high stipend. I would immediately motion to rescind it."

More: Election 2024: Cape City Council District 5 candidate Jason Conzelman Q&A: Priorities

More: Election 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 3 candidate Chad Bruening Q&A: Priorities

District 4 is bordered on the south by Cape Coral Parkway, extends just a few blocks north of 26 E. Terrace, extends one block east of Country Club Boulevard, and two blocks west of Skyline Boulevard.

Unlike other districts up for election this year, the winner of this race will serve a two-year term because former council member Patty Cummings was removed before her term expired when she was investigated for election fraud.

Cummings pleaded guilty to election fraud last week and was sentenced to two years' probation .

But on the ballot, voters had a choice between former District 4 city council member Jennifer Nelson , Robert Sutter , William Matthews and incumbent Richard Carr, who was appointed to Cummings' seat after her removal.

Nelson, who narrowly lost her seat in 2022 by less than two points to now-ousted councilor Cummings, and Carr, who took over Cummings' seat after her removal, garnered the most primary votes in Tuesday's election.

The two will move on to the general election. With 100% of precincts reporting, Nelson won a stunning 35% of the vote, snagging 9,089 votes and far outpacing her fellow District 4 contenders. Carr came in a distant second, with 25% of the vote, or 6,833.

"I'm very excited," said Nelson. "I feel grateful and honored that the citizens have clearly given their trust back to me. I'm looking forward to the general election and hoping that with a win I can restore faith in our government and bring peace back to our residents. I feel so honored."

Her opponent is ready for the challenge.

"I am honored to have received enough support from our residents to  advance to the general election," Carr said via email. "I want to thank the other candidates for their participation in the campaign; I’ve appreciated their insight and commitment to our city. I will work hard to earn the confidence and votes of those I didn’t reach in the primary. I am eager to continue representing our city as the District 4 Councilmember and to help guide our growing community forward."

Richard Carr, 59

Previous Experience : Former police officer; managed Cape Coral's code enforcement division for more than six years.

Top Priorities: "We are elected citywide and responsible for the betterment of the entire city. However, in District 4, the "old golf course" has sat abandoned for many years. I will do everything possible for the city to acquire the land and maintain the green space to enhance the quality of life for all who wish to enjoy it."

Election 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 4 appointee Rich Carr runs for election: his priorities

Jennifer Nelson, 54

Previous Experience: Nelson was the District 4 city council member from 2017-2022. Since her narrow loss to Cummings, she has been a consultant with Purpose Driven Strategies for nonprofits and businesses.

Top Priorities: "District 4's top priority is purchasing the old golf course. With 184 acres of green space, this land would give us much-needed amenities in our city and give us the green space our city lacks for our population size. I would prioritize our projects and make sure we have the appropriate funding sources identified so as to not burden our taxpayers. Additionally, we need a policy in place that not only protects our green space, but also preserves our commercial zoning areas so we can continue to grow the commercial tax base which is lacking in our city."

Election 2024: Former Cape Coral District 4 councilmember Jennifer Nelson runs again, speaks on top priorities

District 5 encompasses much of central Cape. It is bordered on the east by Cultural Park Boulevard South, on its jagged northernmost edge by Northeast Pine Island Road, Tropicana Parkway W and Embers Parkway W and SW Pine Island Road, and on the west and south by Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Joseph Kilraine , Jason Conzelman , Charlie Pease and Robert Welsh , the incumbent, faced off for the District 5 seat.

In the District 5 Cape Coral City Council race, Pease, with 34%, or 9,004 votes, and Kilraine, with 32%, or 8,468 votes, had wide leads over their competitors but a tight race between the two of them. Pease and Kilraine will now face off in the Nov. 5 general election, eliminating incumbent Welsh, who had 22% in late results, and Conzelman, who had 11%.

Among District 5 voters, a major issue has been stipends the City Council approved earlier this year to supplement council pay.

“I’d like to thank the voters and I look forward to a good race in November,” Kilraine said. “I’m feeling really good about it. (As for November), we’re just going to do more of the same. It ain’t over ’til it’s over. We just gotta keep working at it.”

His opponent in the November election, Pease, felt much the same way.

"I was fortunate to come out on top in the primary but we have two more months leading up to November," Pease said. "I’m excited to put together an even bigger team over the next two months and move forward."

Pease said he was unsurprised at the poor performance of so many incumbents, given the vivid frustration a lot of Cape residents have regarding the council's implementation of a large stipend for themselves and what many term the mishandling of Jaycee Park.

"I think definitely the stipend was a hot-button topic," Pease said. "There needs to be trust and leadership restored to the council.

"I’m certainly not someone who will take the stipend. I’ll make sure we end it. I think that’s low-hanging fruit at this point. I think we also need to restore volunteer advisory boards, all the things that ultimately led to the council taking over the CRA and getting to the stipend."

Charlie Pease, 41

Previous Experience : Lifelong educator (teacher, assistant principal, principal) who is director of Cape Technical College. Board membership with Cape Charter School Authority Governing Board, Cape Museum of History and Cape Mayor’s Scholarship Fund. Co-founder of Keep Our Parks and Rec Cape Coral and member of Urban Land Institute, Cape Advisory Panel, Cape Economic Development Strategic Planning Roundtable, a state Department of Education workforce education funding committee and Cape Chamber of Commerce.

Top Priorities: "My top priorities for District 5 are the same for the entire city and they are all interrelated.

"Restoration of Trust: Ending the stipend and listening to residents. This includes restoring advisory boards, adding townhall meetings, proactive updates on projects and transparent decision-making.

"Smart Growth: Infrastructure planning for traffic, stormwater management, water and sewer Utilities Extension Project (UEP that includes cost reduction strategies), amenities, parks and conservation of green spaces.

"Fiscal Responsibility: Ensuring taxpayer money is used effectively to benefit our community while keeping taxes as low as possible. This includes budget transparency and restoration of the Budget Review Committee."

Election 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 5 candidate Charlie Pease outlines priorities

More: Election 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 5 candidate Joseph Kilraine Q&A: Priorities

Joseph Kilraine, 73

Previous Experience: 20-year Cape resident with postgrad chemical and polymer engineering degrees, MBA and business doctorate and 45 years of building businesses. Examples include Fortune 50 global chemicals, oil and gas, several engineering firms, alternative energy, plastics, recycling, landfill operations, trade groups and ownership of five Bonanza franchise restaurants. Member of St. Katharine Drexel, NRA, Cape Progress, Republican clubs, Habitat for Humanity, Knights of Columbus, Chapin and Cape Caring Center.

Top Priorities: "District issues much the same as city at large. Residents feel betrayed by council’s self-serving-dismissive actions last 18 months (i.e., firing of volunteer resident advisers, the lack of transparency in many actions including the stipend, ignoring hands-off Jaycee Park 7,800-resident petition, chicanery around stipend adoption).

Trust deficit is an impediment-distraction to properly handling major issues, i.e., rapid growth outpacing infrastructure, water sourcing, traffic, rising taxes-assessments-insurance costs, absolute costs due to inflation, affordable housing, insurance increases, retaining-attracting talent, resident concerns on multifamily buildings, general obligation (GO) bond delays-cost overruns, yacht club scope-cost, pickleball public-private partnerships (P3) and fees, greenspace preservation."

Elections 2024: Cape Coral City Council District 5 member Robert Welsh running for reelection: Q&A

The district covers the northeast sectio n of the city, beginning at the intersection of Northeast Pine Island Road and Santa Barbara Boulevard and spreading north and east.

Only two candidates qualified to run for election in District 7. As a result, the race will not be on the ballot for the Aug. 20 primary and will go straight to the November election.

Councilmember Jessica Cosden was ineligible as she has served two consecutive terms on city council. Both candidates are newcomers to politics and are longtime Cape Coral residents.

Rachel Kaduk , 34

Experience: Kaduk, a native to Cape Coral, is a loan officer at Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. Prior to that, she served as the business development manager for Seminole Casino Hotel.

Top Priorities: "I want to mend the relationship between council and the residents, rescind the stipend and amend the city charter. I want to reinstate our volunteer committees, such as the budget review committee; I think that’s essential. I have an infrastructure initiative because in District 7 the utility expansion is becoming too costly for homeowners and we don’t want people leaving Cape Coral. I want to look into improving the permitting process, and then of course I want to keep an eye on all our general obligation (GO) bond projects and make sure those are completed before we begin new ones."

Michael Harper , 60

Experience: Harper has owned Edison Mortgage Services since 2020; prior to that, he was a partner with Edison Mortgage Group from 2015-2020. He has worked as a loan officer and real estate agent.

Top Priorities: "My priorities, if elected, would focus on the infrastructure, affordable housing and the UEP in the North Cape. While there are many other issues that need addressing, I feel these three are ones that directly affect the quality of life for those living in Cape Coral.

"I would be happy to share my thoughts on these 3 issues in more depth, as well as the other issues facing the Cape. You can email me directly, [email protected] and I'd be happy to respond back to you."

Kate Cimini is the Florida Investigative Reporter for the USA TODAY-Network Florida, based at The News-Press and The Naples Daily News. Contact her at 239-207-9369 or [email protected].

Cape Coral stakeholder groups tours the Yacht Club to determine what will be saved

A select group of residents shared their goodbyes and ideas for new beginnings they toured for what may be their last time in the closed-off Yacht Club Ballroom building as the city ponders and prepares to determine what parts of the historic building it will preserve.

Michael Przystawik, 62, said he appreciated the opportunity to give his input on a facility that means so much to him. He was among 12 residents drawn at random from 1,500 volunteers that the city selected as a stakeholder group. Ten of them toured the Hurricane Ian-damaged building Wednesday morning.

"It will be sad to see it go," Przystawik said. "Cape Coral has nothing historic left. We used to have the Gulf American Land building on the corner of Cape Coral Parkway and Del Prado, but that's gone. The Rose Gardens are gone. There's really nothing left, so this is sort of the last stone."

His parents were founding members of the German-American Club in Cape Coral, when the club used the Yacht Club for meetings.

Whether it was Oktoberfest, training for competitive swimming, or even Santa making an appearance, it's a place that holds so much meaning to residents like him who remember the old Cape Coral.

Cape Coral was founded in 1957 by brothers Jack and Leonard Rosen and developed as a planned community, and the Yacht Club area developed in the early 1960s.

"Because I started coming here when I was so little, it's just you walk into this voluminous space and there's just a feeling," Przystawik said. "I can walk in here today and feel like I'm walking in there in the 1970s, so I'll miss that."

Przystawik was among the 14 selected by the City of Cape Coral to provide a list of recommendations on what to preserve. Two were a no-show.

The other two, the representatives of the youth council and the historical society, will have a separate tour due to scheduling difficulties.

Ultimately, the council will look at the group's recommendations and vote to approve what to preserve.

The demolition of the yacht club's existing building has been contentious as residents and officials are mixed on the council's decision to take a "clean slate" approach in January to renovate the area and its facilities after Hurricane Ian paused the initial renovation plans.

The park contains the main ballroom, Tony Rotino Center, tennis courts, a pool, a pier, and a beach; all of which will be affected by the upcoming renovations.

Since then, residents have petitioned the city to stop the demolition of the main ballroom and preserve it.

Despite the opposition, the council approved an amended contract with Kimley Horn in June.

The city of Cape Coral is eyeing an early 2024 date for the demolition and preservation of parts of the ballroom, which could cost up to $1 million.

James Pankonin, a landscape architect and urban designer with Kimley Horn, guided the members throughout the tour.

Pankonin said the consultants have already looked at elements worth preserving. They include the ceiling beams, stonework from the sides of the building and the fireplace, and the terrazzo flooring.

Przystawik agrees with the assessment but especially wants to see the fireplace preserved. The fireplace is made up of rectangular stones that reach over 6 inches each with a funnel reaching to the roof.

"If we don't save the fireplace, where is Santa going to sit every Christmas?" Przystawik said. He also suggests using the high beams as a decorative element rather than going through the hassle of incorporating it in the engineering.

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.