Learn about why Proton Therapy can provide an important alternative to traditional radiation treatment. This form of treatment which was only available in other parts of the USA now means that residents will have this form of treatment on their doorstep.
Engage Estero Safety Council is made of volunteers serving as a voice for the citizens of greater Estero on safety and transportation priorities and issues. We advocate for related solutions to Village, County, and State Government organizations.
Road Safety in Greater Estero By Contributing Author, Mark Novitski, and Engage Estero Consultant. Everyone has their definition of what determines road safety or, conversely, what makes our roads unsafe. In writing extensively about Corkscrew Road, I have...
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comprtroller Kevin Karnes is now offering an alert notification system for Lee County property owners to reduce fraud. When you sign-up, if a deed, mortgage, or other non-Court official record is recorded in your name, you will be...
Engage Estero Environment Council is a volunteer group focusing on improving water and air quality and mitigating and eliminating the effects of climate warming in greater Estero.
During the weekend of April 6th, Engage Estero’s team of volunteers, organized by Julie Yellig, collected 360 pounds of bagged litter. A total of 2.2 tons of litter has been collected since the end of April 2023 (the end of last season), and an astonishing 10 tons...
by Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage Estero. Mia McCormick, Advocate, Environment Florida, identifies why we need wildlife crossings: “Each year, animals at risk of extinction die when cars and creatures collide on Florida roadways. It is the number one cause of...
Engage Estero Community Health Council comprises health* and safety-minded volunteers who think about community health comprehensively with a common desire to improve the overall health of the citizens of greater Estero.
https://www.esterotoday.com/event/may2024/ RSVP
The facts Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 300,000 lives annually. Approximately 95 percent of SCA victims die before they reach a hospital or receive medical attention. How Can We Help Reduce This...
Engage Estero mobilizes volunteers in our schools, sponsors scholarships, and promotes the involvement of the community through announcements and public forums.
By Mike Wasson, Director, Engage Estero The Village of Estero Council issued a Proclamation its Meeting on Wednesday, March 6th honoring 39 Estero High School Students who were presented the Cambridge Outstanding Learners Awards. In his remarks, Jon McLain, Village of...
The Future Plans for our Schools and Students' Education in Greater EsteroBrought to you by the Engage Estero Education Councilby Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage EsteroPrincipal Leslie Gunderson in her office at Pinewoods Elementary School behind a table full of...
Engage Estero believes the best way to get a community involved is to make sure they are aware of the issues impacting their future, and know how to impact those decisions before they are made. We conduct and publish original research and articles aimed at getting residents Engaged.
Follow up post to this article: https://www.esterotoday.com/the-williams-road-golf-driving-range-is-slated-to-close/
Estero is urbanizing! Increasingly, this is affecting traffic patterns and resident wants. Recreation activities not provided by HOA communities have gained in popularity. The number of casual recreational users of various sports facilities has increased substantially as new developments optimize the land available for residential buildings and tend not to provide golf courses or other sports facilities that require land and significant investment.
Satisfying these needs has become a Village priority. In the last five years, the village has invested $28 million in land acquisition to develop community recreational and natural environments.
The Village also recognizes its role as a portfolio investor, not an operator of recreational businesses. Using assets to partner with professional operators to expand recreational choice is sound. However, when progress squeezes out an actively supported option, it deserves a second look.
Many individuals who use the driving range on Williams Road wrote comments following Engage Estero’s recent article indicating that the Village was planning to close the Golf Driving Range. Here are just some of the comments that have been made. Many others have made similar remarks: –
Mr. MK. “I’m sorry. What am I missing? Isn’t a golf driving range considered entertainment? The dismantling of the driving range will create a great inconvenience to those that have no access to private driving ranges and have to drive an hour or more (round trip) to have some fun and work on their strokes. Very disappointing!”
Mr. LK “I’m disappointed in this action. This is an important recreational facility for the community.”
Ms. LD “Seems odd to close down something that has reportedly seen an increase in use. Not only would you be taking away this facility from people who enjoy using it, but you would also, more importantly, be eliminating a source of income for a community foundation that benefits from the proceeds. Please reconsider this decision.”
Ms. JCP “Please reconsider closing the golf range. I use it, and many others also use it. I wait for an opening because it is filled with golfers to take my turn. After watching a couple of meetings of the zoning board online, I noticed the development of Estero is favored towards the developer. The town should have a vote on this issue. You are going in the wrong direction. It won’t be a village for long!”
Mr. JR “Closing this well-used community resource would be a mistake. As this article makes clear, the range is very popular, and usage is up. Why close a golf practice facility when there are so few in our area? Final personal point, the current management and staff under the Estero Foundation are doing an outstanding job – they are so kind and friendly. Estero, please reconsider!”
Even those who are NOT golfers have spoken up!
Mr. JBA “I’m not a golfer, but I’d like to see the range stay open. I am concerned about Estero’s proclivity toward developing every square inch of available space. Estero is better served by a non-intrusive driving range than by yet another development.”
The decision to close the Golf Coast Driving Range, operated by the Estero Forever Foundation, needs a second look. Closing this facility will reduce recreational choices for residents, not members of other golf clubs. Chicken ‘n Pickle, High 5 Entertainment, has been selected by the Village to develop an entertainment center on the 20-acre site – of which the driving range covers approximately 10 acres.
The Village will finance and construct the complex, which the operator will manage. There will be 20,000 square feet of indoor entertainment space, six environmentally controlled pickleball courts, an outdoor socializing space, and 12 to 15 outdoor pickleball courts.
While this increase in choice will give residents and visitors entertainment alternatives, unfortunately, the golfers supporting the driving range today seem to be ignored. Will the Village Management and Council reexamine the decision to close the golf driving range in light of the many comments made by residents?
Engage Estero is an all-volunteer, nonpolitical, nonprofit Community Engagement Association. We exist to inform citizens of significant community issues and encourage citizen engagement to impact the quality of life in greater Estero favorably.
