The completion of a Parks Master Plan was an identified priority in the FY 2015 Strategic Plan. The Parks Master Plan was adopted by Council on December 5, 2016 by Resolution 223-16. In November, 2018, a referendum passed that approved the issuance of General Obligation Bonds to finance costs for various parks facilities in the City, including the Cape Coral Yacht Club. A public meeting was held on October 10, 2019 to obtain input from citizens on the then-proposed plan for Yacht Club improvements. The plan was subsequently revised, and a second public meeting was held on December 3, 2019 to give the public an opportunity to comment on the revised plan. The City Manager recommends additional improvements be added in the Yacht Club plan in order to provide additional parking, a police marine unit office, seawall replacement, and expanded docking to provide additional facilities to meet the needs of the City at the Yacht Club.
The additional improvements shown in the revised concept plan are estimated to cost an additional $20,000,000. Yacht Basin Reserve Funds in the amount of $500,000 will be used for the initial startup costs of the project, including design, while securing the borrowing of funds for the total cost of the project. At the time funds are available from the borrowing of $20,000,000, the Yacht Basin Reserve Funds will be reimbursed all amounts used for this project.