CHRISTY SOTO, GULF COAST IS. >> IT WAS ALREADY A HEAVENLY VENUE BUT TO IMPROVE UPON IT GREAT. I THINK IT’S TERRIFIC. I’M TOTALLY AGAINST PUT SOMETHING REALISTIC AND THAT COMMUNITY CAN ENJOY GOING FORWARD CAN GO TO. >> BREAKING NEWS AT 6 CAPE CORAL MAYOR JOHN GUNTER SAYS IT WILL COST MILLIONS MORE TO REBUILD THE CAPE CORAL YACHT CLUB AND THE CITY MIGHT HAVE TO RAISE YOUR TAXES TO PAY FOR IT. EARLIER THIS MONTH, WE REPORTED THAT WE BUILDING THE JEWEL OF THE CITY WOULD COST ABOUT 225 MILLION DOLLARS. NOW THE MAYOR SAYS IT’S LIKELY TO COST UPWARDS OF 300 MILLION AND THE PLAN TO BUILD A PARKING GARAGE IN RESORT STYLE POOL IS TOO FAR ALONG TO HIT PAUSE ON TOP OF THAT CITY LEADERS ARE LOOKING TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC SERVICE TAX. ANOTHER 3%. THAT TAX INCLUDES ELECTRICITY AND GAS THAT WE USED TO FUEL OUR CARS. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER KENNEDY MASON IS LIVE AT THE YACHT CLUB. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CITY COUNCIL CAN’T AGREE ON HOW TO PAY FOR THIS PROJECT. >> PETER, THE CAPE CORAL YACHT, THE CLUB IS PRETTY BARE RIGHT NOW, BUT IT HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER WITH A GORGEOUS VIEW OF THE WATER. THE CITY IS WORKING TO BRING IT BACK TO LIFE, BUT IT COULD COST YOU A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY. >> NANCY AMATO CAN’T COMPLAIN THAT SHE HAS THIS LOCAL BEACH RIGHT NEXT TO HER HOUSE. IT’S A BEAUTIFUL AREA, YOU KNOW, WITH THE PALM TREES, BEAUTIFUL SAND HERE AND THE WATER. SO NICE. BUT WHAT SHE DOESN’T HAVE ANY MORE PULL UP HERE AND MORE AMENITIES WHICH USED TO BE A PART OF THE CAPE CORAL YACHT CLUB. HURRICANE IAN TOOK IT AWAY. THE PIERS. TERRIFIC. YEAH, I HAVE GOOD MEMORIES AND PICTURES FROM THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE. IAN, THE CITY HAS PLANS TO REBUILD IT, WHICH MAY COST MORE MONEY. RIGHT NOW IT HAS A PRICE TAG OF 225 MILLION DOLLARS. AND THAT DOESN’T INCLUDE EVERYTHING’S NOT TO. 25. >> I GUARANTEE OF BETWEEN THE PIER, ALL THE OTHER WILL BE CLOSER TO 300. THE FIRST PHASE IS ADDING A NEW SEAWALL BOAT RAMPS AND DOCKS. THE CITY DECIDED TO GET STARTED ON THIS RIGHT AWAY. >> THEN A COMMUNITY CENTER RESORT STYLE POOL, CONCESSION AREA AND PLAYGROUND. ALSO A 4 STORY PARKING GARAGE. THE IDEA IS ALSO TO INCREASE YOUR ELECTRICITY AND GAS TAX BY 3% NEXT YEAR TO PAY FOR THE PROJECT. WHAT? >> JUSTIFY EVERYTHING YOU’RE SPENDING ALREADY. IT IS ONLY 3%, BUT IT WILL HURT IN THE BEGINNING AND THEN WE’LL EVENTUALLY GET USED TO IT. >> HOWEVER, TODAY, ALMOST EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER SAID THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRICE TAG. IT’S A LARGE PROJECT. WE CAN PUT THIS ON OUR TAXPAYERS. IT’S WHY TODAY THEY DECIDED THEY’RE TRYING TO BRING IN A BUSINESS PARTNER TO HELP PAY FOR THE COST. AND I THINK THAT >> IF WE CAN OFFSET THOSE EXPENSES WERE NOT PUT THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYER AND WE’RE STILL PROVIDING THE SAME TYPE OF AN AMENITY TO ME. THAT’S A NO-BRAINER. >> COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE CAPE CORAL YACHT CLUB. THE BEGINNING UP NEXT YEAR COUNCIL WANTS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THE FUTURE OF THE CAPE CORAL YACHT CLUB
Cape Coral Yacht Club restoration plans spark financial concerns
Updated: 7:00 PM EDT Oct 15, 2025
Cape Coral plans to restore its Yacht Club, devastated by Hurricane Ian, with costs potentially reaching $300 million, sparking concerns about tax increases among residents.“It’s a beautiful area with the palm trees, beautiful sand here and the water,” said Nancy Amato, a Cape Coral resident who lives near the local beach.Amato misses the amenities that were once part of the Cape Coral Yacht Club, including a pool, pier, and more amenities, which were destroyed by Hurricane Ian.“The pier’s terrific. Yeah, I have pictures, good memories and pictures from the way it was before Ian,” said Terri Kowalski from Fort Myers.The city plans to rebuild the Yacht Club, with an initial price tag of $225 million, which does not cover all expenses. Mayor John Gunter indicated that the total cost could be closer to $300 million, factoring in utilities and other necessary components.The restoration plans include marine work such as a seawall, boat ramps, and a dock, which the city aims to start immediately. Following this, the project will include a community center, resort-style pool, concession area, playground, and a four-story parking garage.To fund the project, the city proposes increasing electricity and gas taxes by three percent next year.“Why? Why? Justify everything you’re spending already,” questioned Mike Glotfleter, a Cape Coral resident.“It is only 3%, but it will hurt in the beginning and then we’ll eventually get used to it,” said Amato, acknowledging the potential impact of the tax increase.Despite the ambitious plans, almost every council member expressed concern about the project’s cost.Councilmember Jennifer Lastra emphasized, “She doesn’t want the burden on our taxpayer.”To alleviate the financial strain, the council is considering bringing in a business partner to help cover the costs.The council will continue discussions about the Yacht Club’s future early next year, but they caution that a new Yacht Club is still years away from completion.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral plans to restore its Yacht Club, devastated by Hurricane Ian, with costs potentially reaching $300 million, sparking concerns about tax increases among residents.
“It’s a beautiful area with the palm trees, beautiful sand here and the water,” said Nancy Amato, a Cape Coral resident who lives near the local beach.
Amato misses the amenities that were once part of the Cape Coral Yacht Club, including a pool, pier, and more amenities, which were destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
“The pier’s terrific. Yeah, I have pictures, good memories and pictures from the way it was before Ian,” said Terri Kowalski from Fort Myers.
The city plans to rebuild the Yacht Club, with an initial price tag of $225 million, which does not cover all expenses. Mayor John Gunter indicated that the total cost could be closer to $300 million, factoring in utilities and other necessary components.
The restoration plans include marine work such as a seawall, boat ramps, and a dock, which the city aims to start immediately. Following this, the project will include a community center, resort-style pool, concession area, playground, and a four-story parking garage.
To fund the project, the city proposes increasing electricity and gas taxes by three percent next year.
“Why? Why? Justify everything you’re spending already,” questioned Mike Glotfleter, a Cape Coral resident.
“It is only 3%, but it will hurt in the beginning and then we’ll eventually get used to it,” said Amato, acknowledging the potential impact of the tax increase.
Despite the ambitious plans, almost every council member expressed concern about the project’s cost.
Councilmember Jennifer Lastra emphasized, “She doesn’t want the burden on our taxpayer.”
To alleviate the financial strain, the council is considering bringing in a business partner to help cover the costs.
The council will continue discussions about the Yacht Club’s future early next year, but they caution that a new Yacht Club is still years away from completion.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.