All photos and videos ourtesy of: Elevate SWFL
A proposed $140 million sports, wellness and entertainment destination called Elevate SWFL is generating plenty of excitement on social media -and understandably so.
The vision includes an approximately 20-acre campus at the former greyhound racetrack with sports courts, fitness and recovery facilities, food trucks, childcare, community spaces and other amenities planned across multiple phases.
It sounds like an incredible way to give new life to a property that has played such a major role in Bonita Springs’ history. We would love to see a project like this succeed, especially one centered around recreation, wellness and bringing the community together.
But before we get too excited about the renderings, it is important to clarify where the project currently stands: the full Elevate SWFL development is still a proposal and has not yet reached the construction stage.
After speaking directly with Elevate SWFL co-founder Kristi Kandel, however, we learned there’s quite a bit happening behind the scenes – and some of the Elevate concept is already being tested right here in Bonita Springs.
What Is Elevate SWFL?
Elevate SWFL is envisioned as a multi-phase sports, wellness and social destination designed around one central idea: creating a place where Southwest Florida residents can be active, meet people and spend time together.
Rather than building a traditional standalone gym or sports complex, the larger vision combines recreation, wellness, food, entertainment and community spaces into one destination.
Plans for the property have included amenities centered around:
- Indoor and outdoor sports
- Beach volleyball
- Basketball
- Pickleball
- Soccer and grass sports
- Fitness and wellness
- Recovery amenities
- Food and beverage concepts
- Community gathering areas
- Events and social programming
- Open-play and recreational spaces
The ultimate concept is much larger than the programming residents see today, but those smaller programs are actually playing an important role in determining what comes next.
Take a virtual tour:
Elevate SWFL Is Already Building Its Community
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation with Kandel was learning how intentionally Elevate is approaching the project from the ground up.
Rather than waiting for a massive development to be built before introducing the concept to Southwest Florida, the founders have essentially bootstrapped the sports and community side of Elevate first.
Elevate SWFL is currently operating programming at Sports Challenge America at 28120 Race Track Road, on the former greyhound track property.
Residents can already participate in adult sports leagues, open play, fitness events and what Elevate calls “scrambles” – casual drop-in games where participants can register individually instead of arriving with an established team.
Current programming includes or is being developed around beach volleyball, basketball, pickleball, soccer and other grass sports.
For Kandel and the Elevate team, these programs are about more than recreation.
They also provide a real-world way to find out whether Southwest Florida wants the type of community-centered sports and wellness destination Elevate is proposing.
So far, Kandel says the response has reinforced their belief that the concept could work extremely well here.
The leagues, scrambles, and events are allowing the team to build a community before building the larger facility, while learning which sports, programs, and experiences local residents actually use.
So, Is Elevate SWFL Definitely Happening?
This is where some of the recent social media coverage has gotten a little ahead of the development process.
You may have seen posts describing Elevate SWFL as though construction on the full project is already underway or the $140 million development has officially broken ground.
That is not where the larger project stands today.
Elevate has a vision for the property and is actively working toward it, but there are still major development steps that have to take place before construction can begin.
In other words: this is a very real proposal with an active team behind it, but it is still a proposal.
And in real estate development, particularly with a project of this scale, plans and timelines can evolve as a project moves through entitlements, financing, permitting, and construction.
Why the Former Greyhound Track?
The location itself could be one of Elevate’s biggest advantages.
The former Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track sits near the intersection of Bonita Beach Road and Old 41, just outside Downtown Bonita Springs — an area that has already undergone a tremendous amount of change over the past several years.
It is also a property that has attracted other redevelopment ideas.
Earlier this year, Alfie Oakes and Oakes Farms brought forward a separate concept known as Oakes Landing, which envisioned a family-oriented destination with restaurants, pools, playgrounds and other attractions on the former track property.
Those plans were later withdrawn in June.
Elevate’s proposal, which is not affiliated with Oake’s previous plans, represents a different approach to activating a portion of the property, with a much heavier emphasis on sports, wellness and community.
A Project Worth Watching
After speaking with Kandel, our takeaway is a little different than simply asking whether Elevate SWFL is “happening.”
There is still a development process ahead, and we think that’s important for residents to understand, especially when renderings begin circulating online without that context.
But Elevate isn’t waiting for a future groundbreaking to start proving its concept.
The team is already running leagues, organizing drop-in sports, hosting fitness programming and building a community in Bonita Springs, and that’s what makes this proposal particularly interesting to watch.
Instead of building the entire project first and hoping people come, Elevate is building the community first and using what happens now to help shape what could eventually be built.
If participation continues to grow and the development successfully makes its way through the entitlement process, the former greyhound track could look dramatically different by the end of the decade.
For now, though, we’ll call it what it is:
A big vision, an active grassroots effort, and a proposal with several important steps still ahead.
Want to Learn More or Get Involved?
The Elevate SWFL team says they want the community to be part of the conversation as the concept continues to evolve. If you have questions about the proposal, want clarification on future plans or would like to verify information about Elevate SWFL, you can reach the founders directly at info@elevateourcommunities.com.
You can also get a feel for what Elevate is already building in Bonita Springs by participating in its current sports, fitness and community programming this Saturday, August 22, Elevate is hosting a free Social Community Event where you can meet the founders, participate in free fitness activities and learn more about the vision for Elevate SWFL.
We’ll be sure to keep you up to date on this exciting project as new details emerge! Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on this project and others across Southwest Florida, along with upcoming events, restaurant recommendations, and more!
