Village of Estero’s sports park took another step forward Jan. 22 when village leaders unanimously approved the master plan. The village needed to approve the plan so it could go to the South Florida Water Management District for permits.
The 100-acre sports park will be nestled between Via Coconut to the west, Williams Road to the south, Estero High School to the east and Estero Community Park to the north. The entrances will be from Williams and Via Coconut.
Council approved the alternative master plan that did not include a splash pad and playground. Instead, the area could be used for food trucks.
Vice Mayor Joanne Ribble said the playground would be redundant because the village just rebuilt the playground at nearby Estero Community Park.
Mayor Jon McLain lauded the plan but said he was “a little frustrated” at the speed of the project. He said the entertainment portion of the project was supposed to be ready in 2024 and now it’s estimated to be the second quarter of 2026.
He asked Village Manager Steve Sarkozy to put the park on a fast track.
The mayor wants the planning board to give final approval for High 5 Entertainment as soon as possible. High 5, based in Texas, will build a two-story building and outside space. The facility will include 21 pickleball courts, 16 bowling lanes, eight duckpin lanes, bocce, a miniature golf course, axe throwing, laser tag, an arcade and dining room and bar.
Sarkozy said a driving range should open about the same time as High 5, the first or second quarter of 2026.
The park’s 100 acres include 55 acres the village is leasing for 99 years from the School District of Lee County for $10 a year; 25 acres it purchased from Lee County for $700,000 and 20 acres it purchased from property owners for a little more than $5 million.
The village’s agreement with the school district includes reconstruction of the football field and track, creating a shot put, high jump area, replacing the Junior ROTC tower, new softball and baseball fields, two multiuse fields for soccer, lacrosse and other purposes and a cross country path, available to the public when not being used by the school.
A 3-acre village green will be the heart of the park and there will be a lake with a boardwalk.
The park will be constructed in phases and the goal of planners is to have it finished in five years. The plan is yet to have a final price tag because it will be done in phases, allowing Council to decide on the cost for each phase.
“The development of the sports park will likely be the most expensive capital project in the village’s short history,” said Sarkozy, who prepared the presentation.
