Dragon Boat Club gets support for Crystal Lake location
The majority of the Cape Coral City Council are in favor of working on an agreement for the Cape Coral Dragon Boat Club to be located at Crystal Lake.
The only councilmember not in favor of having the club at the city park was Councilmember Keith Long. The remaining members of the eight-member board said they were fine with having the club at the location, but wanted to have more discussion on a buffer around club equipment.
Parks and Recreation Director Joe Petrella said the proposed location for the Cape Coral Dragon Boat is the Crystal Lake boat ramp on the northeast side of the ramp. The area is on unassigned property that has no plans for program use at the time.
Petrella said originally the space was 50 feet by 25 feet but now the proposed space has a larger footprint of 65 feet by 55 feet with a 48-foot clearance from the road.
Cape Coral Dragon Boat Club Coach and Team Leader Trish Koons said the club would store and keep the boats on trailers. She said they are looking at getting a dolly to take the boats off the trailer to walk the boats around to the boat ramp.
The club has three boats — two big and one small boat.
“One of the things that concerns me is the aesthetics and keeping that somewhat blocked from view from the residents that do live there now and coming in the future,” Mayor John Gunter said.
Koons said although the club does not have deep pockets, as they keep reasonable dues to get as many people involved as possible, they are open to discussion on some type of buffering.
Gunter reiterated that he would like to see some kind of buffering as a requirement when city staff is working on a term sheet.
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