Category: Island Update

The Sanibel Recreation Center is thrilled to announce the grand reopening of its Outdoor Courts!

Dual Fun Under the Sun!

The all-new courts boast dual-lined surfaces, catering to both tennis and pickleball enthusiasts. Active recreation center members can reserve a court for an hour each day, completely free of charge! Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity – contact the Sanibel Recreation Center front desk at 239-472-0345 to secure your court time.

From Devastation to Celebration

The path to reopening wasn’t easy. Hurricane damage necessitated a complete overhaul of the courts. Light poles, fixtures, fencing, and the asphalt courts themselves were all replaced and rejuvenated. A brand new subsurface and a whopping 24,000 square feet of fresh asphalt and surfacing ensure these courts are ready for years of community enjoyment.

A Community Triumph

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the momentous occasion. Mayor Richard Johnson declared the reopening “a huge step towards normalcy,” expressing immense pride in the project’s completion. The event brought together community members, staff, and students from The Sanibel School for a celebratory atmosphere. Mayor Johnson, City Manager Dana Souza, and Sanibel School Tennis Team students even faced off in a friendly match to mark the occasion.

“This reopening holds extra special meaning,” shared Sanibel School Principal Jennifer Lusk. “Now parents can come cheer on their student athletes right here on these courts. It’s a true testament to the resilience of our community – we’re back, and better than ever!”

Fort Myers has been ranked the third best small city in the U.S. to launch your business, according to a recent report by WalletHub.

This prestigious ranking places Fort Myers among a competitive pool of over 1,300 small cities with populations under 100,000. WalletHub evaluated these cities across 18 key factors that influence business success. These factors include:

• Small business growth rates
• Access to financing
• Investor availability
• Labor costs

So, what makes Fort Myers stand out? Here are some highlights from the report:

• Thriving Startup Ecosystem: Fort Myers boasts a high number of investors per capita, making it easier for startups to secure funding and get their businesses off the ground.
• Business Growth on the Rise: The number of small businesses in Fort Myers has grown by over 21% between 2015 and 2021, showcasing a thriving entrepreneurial environment.
• Affordable Office Space: Fort Myers offers competitive office space rental rates, making it an attractive location for businesses to set up shop without breaking the bank.

While Fort Myers secured the number three spot, two Utah cities (Cedar City and St. George) took the top rankings. However, Fort Myers remains in excellent company, rounding out the top five alongside Washington, Utah, and Post Falls, Idaho.

Great news for Lee County Schools! The district has received over $507 million thanks to the voter-approved half-cent sales tax, and every school in the district has seen improvements.

These funds are being used to directly benefit our students and staff in a number of ways:

• New classrooms and schools: Thanks to the tax revenue, 4,767 new student seats have been created, with eight new schools currently under construction and substantial renovations underway at seven existing schools.
• Improved safety: The safety of our students is a top priority. These funds are being used to implement advanced security systems in every school, including weapons detection, improved traffic flow, and enhanced camera surveillance.
• Technology upgrades: To ensure our students have the tools they need to succeed, the district has purchased 22,000 Chromebooks for elementary schools and provided 73,000 Chromebooks for a student refresh program.

The Independent Sales Surtax Oversight Committee is committed to transparency and keeping the community informed. They are actively presenting information about how the tax revenue is being used to community groups like Rotary Clubs.

“We want to share the positive impact of the sales tax with the community,” said Committee Chair Steve Shimp. “While we encounter some who may not support the tax, the overall public reception to our presentations has been very positive.”

The School Board and Superintendent are grateful for the Committee’s work in providing factual information about the tax’s impact.

“This is about the community, not the district,” said Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage. “Our role is to be responsible stewards of these funds and provide clear information to the voters who approved this initiative.”

The majestic Leatherback sea turtles have begun their annual pilgrimage to the shores of Sanibel Island, marking the exciting return of nesting season in Southwest Florida. This year, conservationists are happy to report an early start, with the first nests spotted even before the official May 1st kick-off.

The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is gearing up for a busy season, with volunteers and staff prepared to monitor and protect every precious Leatherback nest. These magnificent creatures, the largest sea turtle species, lay their eggs on the beach at night, returning to the ocean after this vital duty.

Early Start for Nesting Season

While May 1st signifies the official nesting season, Leatherbacks have already begun arriving on Sanibel’s shores. This early start could be due to a variety of factors, and the SCCF is closely monitoring the situation.

Protecting These Gentle Giants

As visitors flock to Sanibel’s beautiful beaches, it’s important to remember that these shores are also critical nesting grounds for Leatherbacks and other sea turtles. The SCCF has outlined several tips for beachgoers to consider to avoid disturbing the sea turtle nesting season:

• Minimize Light Pollution: Turn off or shield all lights visible from the beach. Avoid using flashlights or cell phone lights directly on the beach at night.
• Respect the Nests: Don’t disturb the screens covering nests, as they prevent predators from digging up and eating the eggs. Remove all beach furniture and equipment from the beach at night, as these can create obstacles for nesting turtles.
• Keep the Beach Clean: Dispose of fishing line properly to avoid entanglement hazards for wildlife. Properly dispose of all trash, as litter left on the beach can attract predators and pose ingestion and entanglement risks for turtles.
• Give Turtles Space: Fill in large holes that can trap hatchlings and nesting sea turtles. Do not get too close to nesting turtles, shine lights on them, or take flash photos.

By following these simple guidelines, we can all help ensure a successful nesting season for Leatherbacks and other sea turtles on Sanibel Island. Let’s work together to protect these incredible creatures for generations to come.

For more information on Leatherback sea turtles and the SCCF’s conservation efforts, please visit their website.

Get ready to be dazzled by the wonders of Sanibel and Captiva with the release of the 37th edition of the Sanibel-Captiva Nature Calendar! This year’s edition is particularly special, featuring not only stunning photography of the islands’ iconic wildlife but also a glimpse into their resilience in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

14 Breathtaking Photos Capture Sanibel’s Spirit

The calendar showcases 14 captivating images captured on Sanibel and Captiva. From the graceful roseate spoonbill, a beloved symbol of the islands, to the determined bobcat and the majestic American alligator, these photos offer a window into the lives of the incredible creatures that call this place home. Three of the photographs even depict the power of nature and the islands’ ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ian.

More Than Just Beautiful Pictures: Informative Narratives

Each photo is accompanied by a captivating narrative written by renowned nature writers, SCCF shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht, and Cole Tillman, a graduate researcher specializing in marine benthic ecology at Florida Gulf Coast University. These narratives delve into the fascinating stories behind the featured animals, including their habits, habitats, and current status.

A Legacy of Environmental Stewardship

The Sanibel-Captiva Nature Calendar is more than just a beautiful addition to your wall. It’s a testament to the publisher’s dedication to environmental conservation. Here’s how they make a difference:

• Supporting Local Conservation: A portion of the proceeds from each calendar sale goes towards regional conservation organizations. Over the years, the publisher has donated over $28,000 to worthy causes.
• Pioneering Sustainable Practices: The calendar boasts a long history of eco-friendly practices. They were the first in North America to use recycled paper and have continuously strived to reduce paper consumption and waste.

Get Your Copy Today!

Immerse yourself in the magic of Sanibel and Captiva and support a good cause at the same time. The calendar retails for $16.95 and is available at fine bookstores and gift shops throughout Southwest Florida. The Blind Pass Tide Edition, featuring daily tide predictions, is available for $19.95 (on Sanibel only). You can also order by mail directly from the publisher.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate the beauty and resilience of Sanibel and Captiva!

Southwest Florida Market Perspective: On a 12-month rolling basis, closed sales through March were down 8.6% from the preceding 12 months, while new listings were up 9.7%. There’s no question that market characteristics have changed over the past 12 months, but year-over-year changes alone don’t offer the context required to understand what those changes truly mean. That 9.7% increase in new listings may seem to suggest an unusual surge of homes entering the market; however, after reviewing longer-term new listing trends, we realize this increase was after a twelve-month period which represented a 10-year low. Further review reveals that new listings over the most recent 12 months came in at a slower pace than for 7 of the past 10 years and were only up when compared to the years of the pandemic-driven surge when the pace of new listings was historically slow.
It’s no surprise that, while new listings have increased since that unprecedented pandemic-driven market, sales have decreased. Sales over the past twelve months were down compared to pre-pandemic levels, as well. However, the potential consequences of this shift take on a different meaning when we realize that both the pace of new listings and closed sales over the past 12 months were down by nearly the same degree, 7%, and 6%, respectively, when compared to the average of the 6 years preceding the pandemic. This helps explain why, despite historically slow sales, our overall market remains in balance with 7 months of supply. It’s this relationship between supply and demand that gives us the clearest insight into the status of the market. Another metric to consider is days on market, which for Q1 2024 was lower than for any of the past 10 years excluding the most recent three.

Even in a balanced market with historically low days on market, sellers should remember that buyers now have options and aren’t likely to make an offer on a home that’s not properly priced. Conversely, a well-presented home that’s priced for today’s market will attract offers. Buyers should consider this when identifying one of these homes, as they may not be the only buyers to have realized the opportunity and have set their sights on it.

Through March, John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate continues to rank as the top brokerage in total year-to-date sales volume and transactions in Southwest Florida! Click here for entire report

As of April 22, the city of Sanibel has announced the closure of all parking lots at Lighthouse Beach Park to facilitate the replenishment of the berm near the Sanibel Lighthouse by contracted workers. This maintenance work is scheduled to conclude by May 1, just before the onset of sea turtle nesting season.

April 26 Update

The beach restoration at Lighthouse Beach Park is nearly complete, and the parking lots will be temporarily reopened to the public this weekend, April 27th and 28th.

However, the park will close again on April 29th as contractors place more sand. The entire project is expected to be finished by May 1st.

For more information on the Lighthouse Beach Renourishment Project, you can visit the City of Sanibel’s website at mysanibel.com and click on the “Beach Renourishment Project” button.

Celebrate Earth Day with a Walk at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church!

Join Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church as they host a special Earth Day Walk on Monday, April 22nd, the 54th anniversary of Earth Day! This is a great opportunity to celebrate our beautiful island and show your commitment to environmental stewardship.

Walk Details:

• Start Time: 11:00 AM
• Location: Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel)
• Distance: Approximately 0.8 miles
• Route: The walk will include stops within a few blocks for blessings throughout the community. Participants will pause at:
  • Community Housing & Resources complex
  • Sanibel Fire and Rescue District station
  • A nearby section of water
  • Sanibel City Hall
  • Sanibel Public Library
  • Sanibel Police Department
  • Sanibel Island Farmers Market site and recycling station
• Accessibility: The route is designed to be accessible for walkers of all ages.

Lace up your walking shoes and join us for this meaningful event. It’s a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the fresh air, and show your support for our planet.

For more information about the Earth Day Walk, please visit the Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church website at [website of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church] or call 239-472-2173.

We look forward to celebrating Earth Day with you!

The City of Sanibel recently announced that “BC” parking permits, designated for non-resident access to the Sanibel Boat Ramp, have sold out for 2024. However, there’s good news! Other permit options are still available for securing your beach parking spot.

Here’s a quick rundown of the remaining permits and their perks:

• Resident Beach Parking (Permit A): Enjoy convenient beach access for just $14. (Note: This permit is for residents only.)
• Non-Resident Beach Parking (Permit B): Relax on the beach with this permit, available for $300.
• Resident Beach & Boat Ramp Parking (Permit AC): This versatile permit grants access to both beach parking and the Sanibel Boat Ramp for $113. (Open to residents only.)

Get Your Permit and Explore Sanibel!

All remaining 2024 permits (A, B, and AC) can be purchased at the Sanibel Recreation Center located at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. These permits are valid from now until November 30th, 2024.

For any questions or additional information, don’t hesitate to contact the center directly at 239-472-0345.

The Beachview Tennis Club is hosting its Open Doubles Tournament on April 27th and 28th, presented by Grampy’s Charities. This exciting event will see both men’s and women’s doubles competitions across skill levels (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0) on the first day, followed by mixed doubles in the same categories on the second day.

Show your skills and support a worthy cause!

The entry fee is $100 per player, per day, or $150 for both days of competition. Winners and runners-up in each category will receive awards. All participants will also receive a commemorative T-shirt and lunch on both days.

More than just a tournament!

This tournament isn’t just about great competition; it’s about giving back to the community. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC), a local non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I am proud to support LARC through this tournament,” says club owner and tennis pro Toni Halski. “LARC plays a vital role in our community, providing essential programs and services that empower individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling lives.”

Join the cause!

Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot! The deadline to register is April 20th. Contact Toni Halski at 239-472-9099 for more information or to register.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available!

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Nickole Hendra at 239-334-6285 Ext. 229 or nickolehendra@larcleeecounty.org. You can also visit LARC Lee County Tennis: https://larcleecounty.org/ for more information.

Don’t miss this chance to combine your love of tennis with supporting a fantastic local organization! We look forward to seeing you on the courts!