Input wanted at meeting for new NFM Recreational Center
On Thursday, Oct. 7, Lee County officials and planners will hold a meeting in North Fort Myers to get input on the proposed new recreation center to be built on the grounds of North Fort Myers Community Park.
Lee County Commission Chairwoman Tammy Hall has been working on the project for several years. “I am excited to continue to work with the residents of North Fort Myers in developing the program and layout of the North Fort Myers Community Center,” said Hall.
“This community center will provide much needed programs for all of the residents of North Fort Myers, our youth, as well as our seniors. We have seen over and over the benefits of our partnerships in these county facilities and the positive impact it has on the community.”
Park users and community members are encouraged to attend, said Barbara Manzo, head of Lee County Parks & Recreation. “We are encouraging folks in the area to come to the meeting, so they can share what they would like and we know what they want. My main focus is to have folks from the neighborhood come out and speak. Their input would be for them, their children and their grandchildren, so their input is extremely important.”
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the current North Fort Myers Community Center, 2021 N Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. Parking is available in the parking lot behind the center.
It is the third follow-up meeting hosted by Lee County Parks & Recreation to gather suggestions.
“There will be presentations and discussions on the proposed center,” said Jeff Mudgett, vice president at Parker/Mudgett/Smith Architects Inc., a lead in the planning.
The public is welcome to comment on programs, activities and amenities at the proposed new building. The timeline for its construction is pending.
“This is the third meeting, and there will be one or two more meetings after this. In past meetings we have covered program elements for the center as well as issues regarding it as an emergency shelter, on use of the park, and other improvements.”
The recreation center will use the Estero Recreational Center plan as a base, Mudgett said. That saved the county significant funds as a prototype. “Even though the prototype has been established these meetings are called to discuss modifications of the basic plan.”
For more information on North Fort Myers Community Park, visit leeparks.org. Or if you have any questions, comments or other input for the project you may contact Mudgett at wjm@pmsarch.com.