is the cape coral yacht club boat ramp open

New timeline for Cape Coral Yacht Club restoration

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A new timeline is set for when all the amenities might open at the Cape Coral Yacht Club.

The Boathouse Restaurant was scheduled to reopen at the end of this month but now Paul Clinghan, Director of Capital Improvements for the City of Cape Coral, says it may not happen until June.

Clinghan says the city is working on parking and lighting as well as temporary fencing around the areas of the yacht club that will still be closed.

As for the boat gas station, it’s up to the city’s public works department to make sure the tanks and supply lines are ready. Then the restaurant will make the final decision on the actual pumps.

During Wednesday’s Cape Coral City Council meeting, he also said the boat ramp is still shut down and that will stay the case until at least September. The reason given by the city is the company responsible for removing abandoned boats from Lee County, has removed 89 from Cape Coral so far, and they anticipate needing until August 31st to remove the rest.

The beach remains closed until further notice. Clinghan says “As far as sand refurbishment, we’re waiting for FEMA approval. They still have to send out a beach inspector. That’s actually a specialist that comes out related to beaches, to see if we’re eligible for reimbursement. The marina is still closed and the other amenities”

As for the buildings at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, they will all be demolished and that will not get underway until September or October as they wait on FEMA reimbursement.

Another update from the city of Cape Coral is expected next month.

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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.

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Cape Coral Yacht Club project moving forward as beach opening is slated mid-November

A recent development for the Cape Coral Yacht Club will have the beach open in mid-November.

"The Yacht Club beach is scheduled to reopen in mid-November," said Cape Coral Spokesperson Melissa Mickey in an email statement Monday morning.

What happened?

The city of Cape Coral announced it has received the OK to move forward with beach nourishment at the Yacht Club.

Capital Improvements director Paul Clinghan presented the latest information at a meeting Wednesday, adding that the city is still awaiting permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the marine-related improvements.

"It just happened yesterday, we did receive the sand renourishment permit,” City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said.

The city previously stated that once the permits were issued, the parks department would purchase and apply sand to the beach within a month.

The city had planned to close the area for two years for renovations that included replacing the seawalls and marina wet slips, replacing the harbormaster building and boat ramp, and building a three-story parking garage and beach restrooms. The beach would also be expanded, and utilities relocated. Then Hurricane Ian struck on Sept. 28, 2022, delaying plans, but shuttering the beach.

Despite strong opposition, the city plans to move forward  with a complete demolition by early 2024. Plans for the demolition of the yacht club building will go out to bid in the next few weeks.

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The Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park, which boasts a beach, The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill Restaurant, a historic ballroom building, and other park amenities, is the city's premier gemstone.

Hurricane Ian, a Category 5 storm, devastated the area leading to the park's closure and stalled contentious renovations that were being discussed prior to the storm.

The park was closed and fenced off for months until July when the parking lot and driveway to the park opened to accommodate  the reopening of the Boathouse restaurant.

Delays, delays, and delays

During a recent meeting, Ilczyszyn said the city experienced a three-to-four-month delay over the restaurant reopening.

"About four months ago, an Army Corps reviewer basically stopped the project and said they saw on the TV that the Boat House was opening and that it was basically creating soil and beach into the river,” Ilczyszyn said. 

He said the city had to get its surveyor involved.

When asked when the project can see more permits approved, Corps spokesperson Amanda D. Parker said there was no timeframe available.

"We are currently reviewing multiple applications that we received for the Cape Coral Yacht Club," Parker said. "Unfortunately, we do not have a timeframe as to when, or if, USACE permits will be issued to the Yacht Club."

What's next?

Kimley-Horn will present the Yacht Club master plan and concepts from earlier this year to the city council on Nov. 8.

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 Yacht Club project moving forward as beach opening is slated mid-November

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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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Cape Coral Boat Ramps and Launches

Cape Coral Boat - Find out where all of the boat ramps and launches are in our boating and fishing paradise!

With 400 miles of canals, many lakes , the Caloosahatchee to the east, Matlacha Pass to the west, and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Cape Coral is a boater's heaven!

Not only that, the Cape is close to the fabulous beaches of Sanibel, Captiva, Ft Myers and more, plus we have some of the best fishing in the world.

We have 5 different boat launches throughout our city, 4 of them lead out to the river, 1 of them leads to a system of interior canals ........ 3 are located in the SE part of the Cape, 1 is in the SW, and 1 is in the NW.

Cape Coral takes pride in accommodating its residents with ramps at several locations ......... Rosen Park, Horton Park, Yacht Club Beach, Burnt Store Ramp, and BMX Park Ramp.

Rosen Park on Chantry Canal is in SE Cape Coral, to get there, you need go east on Viscaya Pkwy from Del Prado Blvd, at the end head south on SE 24th Ave, then left on SE 15th Terrace.

By boat, turn west on the river at Marker #58, the park is 11.2 statute miles from the Sanibel Causeway.

There are 2 ramps, 30'x60', very close to the Caloosahatchee, a pumping station, fishing pier, plenty of trailer and vehicle parking, 3 new picnic pavilions with grills, and boardwalk right on the canal.

You can also rent one of 19 wet slips for boats up to 40', annually or otherwise, where you can live on board because there is a sewage pump that is operated on Mondays from 10AM-2PM, 30/50 amp electric service, potable water, and security gate.

Rosen Park 2414 SE 15th Terrace (239)574-0809

Horton Park

South from Rosen Park is Horton Park, which is right on the Caloosahatchee near the Midpoint Bridge at the end of Everest Pkwy, off of Del Prado Blvd.

By boat, Horton Park is 10.9 statute miles from Sanibel Causeway.

There is one ramp and it is just a matter of yards to the river ......... there's plenty of parking for boat trailers.

This Cape Coral boat ramp was recently improved the summer of 2012, and has a lovely walking path on the waterfront of the park with benches and picnicking under shade trees, and bathroom facilities.

Horton Park gets pretty busy on weekends, particularly during season, but that's okay, we have 4 more ramps!

Horton Park 2600 SE 26th Place

Yacht Club Boat Ramp

Also in the SE and south from Horton Park is another busy boat ramp at Yacht Club Community Park, which has a marina, beach, pool complex, and more.

It's located at the end of Coronado Pkwy, south from Cape Coral Parkway at the entrance to Yacht Club Beach.

Two ramps are right on the Caloosahatchee and even closer to the Sanibel Causeway, only 5.5 statute miles, about a 30 minute ride.

You can suntan at the beach first, grab a meal at the snack bar at Ford's boathouse, and gas up before you head out or on the way back.

There's tons of parking at Yacht Club Marina for vehicles and boat trailers, as well as boat slip rentals.

Yacht Club Boat Ramp 5815 Driftwood Pkwy (239)574-0809

BMX Park Ramp

BMX Park is in SW Cape Coral, off of Trafalgar Pkwy, between Santa Barbara and Skyline Blvds.

The ramp leads to interior freshwater canals and several lakes ......... Alhambra Lake, Lake Kennedy, Saratoga Lake, Shamrock Lake, Killerney Lake, and Weatherly Lake.

It was refurbished in 2009 and has restrooms, a double boat ramp, paved parking, and a dock.

BMX Boat Ramp SW 7th Court, north of Trafalgar

Burnt Store Ramp

For those living in the NW, you have quick access to a ramp on Burnt Store Rd between Ceitus and Embers Pkwys.

With this ramp, you have access to lakes and the NW Spreader Canal, which leads out to Matlacha Pass and beyond to the Gulf of Mexico.

Restrooms, parking, and a picnic shelter are all available.

Burnt Store Ramp 230 Burnt Store Rd

Payment boxes at all Cape Coral ramps and launches will be eliminated by May 1, 2019.  To make payment, use "Passport," a free mobile payment app.

For boaters that don't have a  smartphone, call (239) 424-9459 to register.

The daily boat trailer parking fee is ten dollars.   Annual parking passes are fifty dollars for city residents.

For questions about Cape Coral boat slip rentals, picnic pavilion reservations, and other information, contact:

Cape Coral Marine Services Division ( 239)574-0809

Related Pages to Cape Coral Boat Ramps and Launches

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Council approves design for Cape Coral Yacht Club

• RELATED: Council will review new design plans for Yacht Club

The first option had a “Key West, old Florida” architectural style. The second option was based on the existing yacht club building, and the third option was a contemporary architectural design.

Some people in Cape Coral raised concerns about the parking garage and financing the project.

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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.

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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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New Cape Coral Yacht Club designs: Most on council like a coastal, Key West vibe

Given three different design options for the new Yacht Club Community Center , most of the Cape Coral City Council is leaning toward a coastal, Key West-flavor architecture.

At a committee of the whole meeting on Wednesday, the city sought direction from the council on a design direction for the outside of the community building.

"It's a concept, just like we do with anything else, and as we are designing, things may come up that we want to shift and be nimble (on)," said Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn.

James Pankonin with Kimley Horn, a consulting firm focusing on public and private developments, presented the information about the look of the community building.

Cape Coral's Yacht Club Community Park, which includes a yacht basin, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a ballroom, and a beach, has been a popular attraction and staple for the city since the 1960s but is set to undergo major renovations after Hurricane Ian delayed the original plans .

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 resort-style pool.

The city is also preparing for the demolition of the Yacht Club and its facilities in April as it awaits permits.

No estimates could be provided for the price of the new building.

"It will really come into how much of certain materials are needed and construction methods," Ilczyszyn said.

The city will have that information once they have 30% of the construction design.

Two public meetings for the designs are planned for April 2 and May 7.

After getting public input, the city will vote to amend its contract with Kimley Horn to approve all these changes.

The plan is to have these changes approved or introduced before the summer hiatus.

Previous Coverage Demolition of Cape Coral's Yacht Club slated for April will cost almost $1 million

Cape Coral community news Courtyards of Cape Coral South sets bingo fundraiser for residents still affected by Ian

New Designs for the Yacht Club building

John Bryant with Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors, a Sarasota-based design firm, said the goal with the new designs was to maintain the experience of the original Yacht Club.

The majority of the council preferred option one.

Design one:

Bryant described the first option as "coastal vernacular" and similar to the park buildings at Lake Kennedy and Yellow Fever Creek.

"So it's sort of informed by the current architectural work in 2024," Bryant said. "Kinda Key West."

Councilmember Dan Sheppard and Mayor John Gunter preferred option one.

Gunter said the design was the most pleasing for him.

Councilmember Keith Long liked option one and said he liked the Key West aesthetic.

Councilmember Tom Hayden liked option one.

Design two:

Option two is more informed by the current Yacht Club and would have a stone base and mid-century feel to it, according to Bryant.

"There's certainly opportunity to kind of further develop this option to have even more of the existing Yacht Club feel, but a different vibe, feel than option one," Bryant said.

He also said option two might be more expressive the closer they try to recreate the aesthetic of the old ballroom building.

Councilmember Jessica Cosden liked design two as it incorporated design elements of the old building though she lamented how similar it looked to the first design.

"I wish we could have done more, but I know it's hard with a two-story building, to make it look the same as a very unique one-story building.

Councilmember Bill Steinke said two would be his choice as well, but was wary of additional maintenance of natural wood products used in the design.

"As long as we can bring that aesthetic and keep the maintenance down, number two would be my choice," Steinke said.

Councilmember Robert Welsh said he could go either way, but he liked the look of two.

Design three:

This would be more contemporary and modern.

"Even with a more contemporary language, you can still have warmth, incorporating some wood elements and stone elements," Bryant said.

None of the council members expressed any favorability for the third design.

Inside the new community center

The Community Center will have an additional 10,000 square feet for a total of 47,000 square feet, a history room to remember the first ballroom building on the first floor, and more rooms for civic and community use on the first floor.

Additionally, the new ballroom has shifted slightly as the balcony area on the second floor has been expanded to wrap around the top of the building.