Fort Myers Beach advisory board approves fee schedule to send to council as Bay Oaks readies reopening; pool bid readvertised

The Bay Oaks Recreation Center advisory group in Fort Myers Beach voted June 25 to approve a proposed fee schedule to forward to the Town Council as staff prepares a wider reopening of the center and new facility upgrades.

The decision affects programming that is already under way at Bay Oaks, including a summer camp with 34 campers, weekday front‑desk town hall services from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekday indoor pickleball and a phased reopening of the gym and weight room. Advisory board members approved the recommendation in a voice vote; the motion was seconded by Joy and carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Why it matters: the fee schedule and timing will feed into the town’s budget calendar this summer, and the advisory board and staff said the plan is intended to restart programs, attract residents and visitors and help defray operating costs as new amenities come online.

Key facts and next steps

- Summer programs and hours: Staff reported the summer camp is in its third week with 34 campers and that town‑hall services are operating from the rec center Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (registration, beach parking, hurricane passes, permitting, utilities and maintenance questions are being handled at the front desk). (Source: staff report to advisory board.)

- Reduced‑rate pass period: Staff said the center will offer reduced rates through Aug. 15 for indoor court users and the fitness area, and gave conflicting figures during the meeting when describing the exact charge structure (one statement said Fort Myers Beach residents would have no charge and nonresidents $5; a later remark said residents $5 and nonresidents $10). Staff said the limited‑time reduced rates apply to daily passes for indoor pickleball, the weight room and cardio room. (Transcript statements by Michelle Chernin reflected both sets of numbers; the advisory group did not settle the discrepancy on the record.)

- Gym and equipment: Staff said new fitness equipment was delayed; the equipment was expected the week of July 7 and staff hoped to open the fitness area the week of July 14. Indoor pickleball programming began this week with three of six courts available while summer camp uses the other courts. Sessions are scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; open gym basketball will be offered on Fridays through the summer. (Staff report.)

- Pool procurement: Because only two contractors submitted bids for the pool contract, staff said they must re‑advertise the solicitation for an additional 30‑day attempt (posted on DemandStar and the town website). “If we don’t get a third bid on this third attempt, we’re okay with going with one of the two that have already bid,” staff said during the meeting. (Michelle Chernin, staff report.)

- Revitalization project: Staff described a planned revitalization that will add four outdoor pickleball courts near the administrative trailer, a shaded rest area, a large multi‑shelter where construction debris is currently staged, and cross‑shell walking trails linking the park and the area behind the tennis courts. Staff did not give a firm completion date during the meeting. (Staff report.)

- July 4 parade and special events: Staff said the rec center will provide a float built on a public‑works flatbed trailer; as of the meeting 15 floats had signed up for the parade. Staff reported outreach to community foundations about a rec center reopening event planned for late July or early August, with a date to be announced soon.

- Marketing and outreach: Board members urged a heavier push to advertise outdoor courts and rec‑center programming to resorts and visitors (examples cited included Margaritaville). Staff said existing rack cards and brochures will be updated and distributed to local resorts and posted to the website and Facebook; staff committed to producing printed rack cards and using the monthly newsletter and direct outreach to resorts.

- Membership pause and grandfathering: Staff said memberships were paused during the closure and that any remaining membership time will be reinstated when members return; staff also noted the upcoming short reduced‑rate period through Aug. 15 and said they will track enrollments and usage.

Budget timing and oversight

Staff said departmental budget work occurs in July, the first council meeting after the July break is Aug. 4 (when the town typically sets a preliminary millage rate), the first public budget meeting will be Sept. 11 and the final budget hearing is scheduled for Sept. 24. The advisory group approved the fee schedule recommendation to be forwarded to council for the budget process.

Sources quoted in this article were participants at the June 25 Bay Oaks advisory meeting. The advisory group did not publish a line‑by‑line roll call vote for the fee motion; the meeting record shows a voice vote with unanimous assent by those present.