Private Beach Facility Update – Why Timing Remains Uncertain

Posted: August 22, 2025 • Category: Alerts Construction and Improvements

The Bonita Bay Community Association has been working diligently to replace our Private Beach facility with a modern, hurricane-resistant building that we believe will become one of Bonita Bay’s most valued amenities. Once complete, it will offer features and conveniences that we are confident owners will greatly appreciate.

The process of bringing this vision to life has been extraordinarily complex due to the location being in a high hazard area, as well as in a sea turtle nesting zone. Each step requires coordination with multiple agencies, including:

  • City of Bonita Springs – permitting, utilities, and final building approvals
  • Bonita Springs Fire Department – safety systems, inspections, and approvals
  • Bonita Springs Utilities – water and sewer compliance
  • Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission – turtle lighting compliance
  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection – coastal construction control line and lighting
  • Lee County – road access, entrances, and exits

These entities have overlapping—but different—standards, processes, and inspection timelines. The approvals and inspections required (38 in total) before we can open are extensive. For example, we were required to provide fire sprinkler systems in both the upper and lower-level pavilions and in the attic space above the upper pavilions.

Remaining inspections include, but are not limited to:

  • Bonita Springs Fire Department:
    Hydro test on the second floor and final inspections of the fire alarm, elevator fire inspection, LP gas, sprinkler and pump, standpipe, guardrail/handrail, fire doors/hardware, and the final fire safety review (smoke detectors, extinguishers, lights, exit signs).
  • City of Bonita Springs:
    Final plumbing, electric, HVAC, hurricane shutters, power, elevator (rough and final), life safety generator tests, building final, final survey, elevation certificate, and multiple Land Development Order (LDO) finals for asphalt, architecture, engineering, and landscaping.
  • Other Agencies:
    Utilities inspections, environmental reviews, fencing, as-built drawings to Bonita Springs Utilities, signage, turtle lighting, glass, right-of-way paving and final inspections.

In addition to permitting and inspections, the facility includes state of the art security cameras, hurricane shutters, and two elevators to ensure safety—another layer requiring proper integration and approval.

We fully understand the frustration of not having a definitive opening date. At this stage, due to the number of inspections remaining and the sequence in which they must be completed, we can only reaffirm our previously communicated Fall 2025 opening target. As soon as we have a firm date, we will share it with you immediately.

Thank you for your patience as we move through the final, and most challenging, stage of this transformative project. The reward will be a world-class beach facility designed to serve Bonita Bay owners for generations.

Under the expert guidance of contractor Robert D’Angelo Jr., and with the dedicated input of our staff, the design has been refined and elevated at every step of construction. The BBCA Board of Directors, leadership team, and beach staff are united in their commitment to deliver not just a building, but an unforgettable beach experience owners and their guests will enjoy for years to come.

 

Bonita Bay Community Association

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