Harbour House hosts Bay Oaks fundraiser
Bay Oaks Recreational Campus will be receiving a late Christmas present from a new boutique condominium hotel on Fort Myers Beach. Officials at the Harbour House, expected to open New Year’s Day, have decided to forego any extravagant New Year’s Eve grand opening party and will instead focus on a fundraiser benefiting BORC’s youth and senior programs on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m.
Harbour House, located at 450 Old San Carlos Boulevard, will host Lido ’10, a multi-level soiree with live music from “The Boat Wizards,” hors d’oeuvres, drinks and cruise ship flare resembling the popular 1970’s show, “The Love Boat.” The event will include a Captain Stubinginspired emcee, cruise director hostesses, Isaac Washington-styled cocktails, games, plenty of raffle prizes, silent acutions and dancing on the “lido deck” the resort’s second story pool and spa level.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit a variety of youth recreational and athletic activities at Bay Oaks, a community recreational facility which the Town of Fort Myers Beach took over from Lee County in October, according to BORC Special Events Coordinator Randy Norton.
“We’re looking forward to it,” said Norton. “We’ll probably use the money for scholarships and grants for kids who cannot afford to do the after-school programs. Maybe even some fun trips.
“We really appreciate all the hard work that everyone from the Harbour House has done for us. They’re really going above and beyond to help Bay Oaks be a true community center and campus.”
Norton said the Harbour House is expecting to host 250 people for the event.
If interested in the fundraiser, tickets are now on sale for $25 in advance by calling 603-2730. Event tickets will be sold for $35 at the door.
After nearly two years of construction, Harbour House developers are anticipating the opening of the mixed-use 34-unit building in the downtown district of Fort Myers Beach. The hotel offers a variety of floor plans including studio, one, and two bedroom condominiums with panoramic views of Matanzas Pass and the beach. Additional features include an amenity deck with a pool and hot tub and surrounding patio accented with tropical foliage and fountain. An adjacent covered club area/pool cabana offers an entertainment area and barbeque for owners and guests. Boat access and dockage are also available through the Matanzas Inn.
“Obviously we, along with our owners, are very excited for our opening,” said principal developer Doug Speirn-Smith. “But as long-time Fort Myers Beach business owners, we felt this milestone was the perfect time to not only celebrate with our island neighbors but also to be able to give back and shine a light on a much needed amenity in our community.”
The Harbour House site was the former location of the Dockside Sports Pub.
The motel is the first of three future phases planned by the principals for the Old San Carlos/Downtown neighborhood. All partners are long-time Fort Myers Beach business persons with over 25 years of diversified backgrounds in resort development and management.
For more information on the residential units in the Harbour House Condominium Resort, call 463-0700
Melinda Isley contributed to this report.