Monumental $140M Vision: Elevate SWFL Sports Hub Bonita Springs Breaks Ground at Historic Track Footprint

The Elevate SWFL sports hub Bonita Springs project has officially broken ground, launching a transformative $140 million sports, fitness, and social community destination. Located on nearly 20 acres at the site of the former Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track along Bonita Beach Road, just east of Old 41 (28120 Race Track Rd.), this massive private development is transitioning a legacy gaming parcel into an active regional sanctuary.

Spearheaded by a team of local community developers and wellness leaders, the multi-phase master plan targets full site completion by 2030. Once fully built out, the campus will function as a central gathering ecosystem, blending athletic competition, active physical recovery, local dining, and social hubs near the Gulf coast.

Phased Blueprint for the Elevate SWFL Sports Hub Bonita Springs

The strategic rollout of the Elevate SWFL sports hub Bonita Springs development relies on a multi-stage construction sequence. This phased schedule allows residents to immediately utilize outdoor athletic courts while heavy equipment continues site preparation for future indoor facilities.

The multi-year development layout delivers a comprehensive, scannable roadmap of community features:

• Phase One Activations (Immediate Outdoor Access): The initial phase opens regulation beach volleyball courts, pickleball grids, basketball courts, and dedicated turf fields engineered for 7v7 grass soccer.

• Structured Adult Leagues & Scrambles: Organizing 8-week seasonal leagues ($75–$100/player) alongside daily $5 drop-in “scrambles” designed for free agents looking to play without committing to a full team roster.

• Subsequent Indoor Expansions: Future phases will erect a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex, boutique fitness classrooms, and specialized sports recovery centers equipped for physical therapy.

• Social & Lifestyle Gatherings: The 20-acre property incorporates an open-air food truck park, dog-friendly outdoor spaces, walking trails, and vendor pop-up zones for weekend local markets.

Filling a Vital Community Recreation Void in Lee County

Southwest Florida’s rapid population expansion across southern Lee and northern Collier counties has created an acute shortage of recreational facilities. As thousands of new families relocate to the area, traditional municipal parks often lack the capacity to accommodate adult sports leagues and drop-in wellness events.

Community developers designed the Elevate SWFL sports hub Bonita Springs campus to make adult sports accessible, affordable, and social. Through the $30/month Elevate Pass, members receive unlimited drop-in scramble play and open-play access. The goal is to build a vibrant environment where staying fit and meeting new people happens naturally through movement.

Driving Regional Economic Growth and Commercial Synergies

Reclaiming the 20-acre greyhound track footprint revitalizes a major commercial corridor in Bonita Springs. The $140 million capital investment injects substantial private funds into local construction trades, civil engineering, and ongoing hospitality jobs. Furthermore, drawing thousands of weekly athletes and visitors to Bonita Beach Road creates steady foot traffic for surrounding retail plazas and dining establishments.

This major project adds to a wave of private capital investments and municipal overhauls across the region. To explore how regional public finance and commercial developments align across neighboring corridors, review our detailed analysis of the Fort Myers fiscal year financial performance report or check our comprehensive overview of the Waterside Shops luxury retail expansion to track high-end commercial growth along the coastal corridor.

Master Project Fact Sheet

Community Access Notice: Phase one outdoor leagues, nightly scrambles, and weekend community fitness pop-ups are actively operating on-site while site work progresses toward future indoor facility phases.

For official league registration, scramble schedules, or to sign up for upcoming community fitness pop-ups, athletes can visit the Official Elevate SWFL Community Portal.