City officials presented a $225 million makeover plan for the Yacht Club Park on Oct. 15, 2025. The project includes a new marina, community amenities, and a resort-style pool by the Caloosahatchee River.
Construction will be split into multiple phases. Boat access points, updated walls by the water, a building for harbor staff, and a parking structure will be first, with a meeting space for locals, places to eat, a pool, sand, and play areas following.
The payment schedule runs 30 years at $14.2 million yearly. Officials want to mix funding sources. A 3% rise in power bill fees could add $9.5 million per year. Extra cash would flow from parking at $3 hourly, boat slip fees at $5 hourly, plus income from the returning Boathouse Tiki Bar and Grill.
“At least we can get some of the more factual stuff out there in the public’s eye and have an open discussion,” said Councilmember Bill Steinke, according to Cape Coral Breeze.
This plan dwarfs the $12 million update from 2022. After Category 4 Hurricane Ian struck and wrecked the site, officials scrapped the old plan for this bigger vision.
State and federal groups gave building permits. Wright Construction paired with Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc. to handle designs and other tasks on Driftwood Parkway.
“We worked feverishly on that permit and hit a number of hurdles we didn’t expect,” Steinke said. “The hinge pin in all of it was certainly the seawall. You can’t do anything until the seawall gets done.”
Since 1962, the Yacht Club has stood as the first public space in town. Its 1960s-style building, swim zone, fishing spot, and water views made it a local favorite.