Skating Away ?

Even though an ice skating rink has never existed in Cape Coral, one local developer, along with the help of a Saturn dealership owner, would like to change that. Creighton Development and local Saturn dealer Bob Goodman are ready to build a nearly 1500-seat arena, complete with not one, but three rinks, a four-story hotel, as well as two restaurants.




Business owners along Pine Island road are hopeful, as the facility could mean a big financial boost to that area. Even with the project's anticipated 2010 completion, much remains before the city signs off on the land-lease deal and construction can get underway.

While plans are not beyond the preliminary stage, both hotel and restaurant operators have already been arranged. Though the Cape Coral city council wont vote again on the project until their July 20 session, it's possible that construction could begin on the 100,000 plus square-foot arena and equivalent sized hotel project before the year's end.

Given the present unstable economy, the Cape Coral business community would certainly benefit from a financial "shot in the arm", and any new jobs created are also a welcome bonus.

The city's office of Economic Development knows that both residential growth as well as tourist dollars are at stake, and is in favor of the project.