Dear fellow Seawatch-on-the-Beach Owners,
Yesterday, August 29, 2024, I spent the day at our resort and met with First OnSite and we then held our monthly Board of Directors meeting via Zoom. To get right to the information you are looking for, we are announcing a TARGET opening date of Saturday, November 2, 2024. Please review and understand the qualifications to this announcement below.
This date is subject to movement, that is, the resort could open a bit earlier, or, the opening could be delayed beyond that date. How could this occur? So many variables, which will be updated once a week on this site.
We are heading toward the finish line rapidly now. The travertine patio was almost completed while I was at the property, fencing goes in during the next two weeks, and the pool and spa projects will commence shortly. To summarize, our resort is beautiful! While I was on the island yesterday, Seawatch probably had more construction going on than any other property along Estero Boulevard. So why a potential adjustment to November 2??? First, our contractor actually feels that we might be ready to open a week or so before November 2, 2024, however, does not want to over promise and under deliver. Second, we are in active hurricane season. Any new storm damage could cause new damage to our resort. Third, any further building code changes that are presented to us could be an issue. In the last few days, we were advised of a brand-new building code that requires changes in stairwell lighting. As a result, we had to order new materials, are now waiting for the installation, and we will then wait for inspections. Fourth, there are some codes we are dealing with as far as the proximity of the emergency generator with the fire panel. We have requested a variance since all the equipment was installed prior to the code changes and are awaiting an approval from the town. If for any reason this variance is not granted, the issue could add significantly to our re-opening date. Finally, we have asked the town if they will permit us to open in phases, corresponding to the stacks with completed re-pipe. Our request remains under consideration. The re-pipe project proceeded in the following order. Stack six pipes were completed first, followed by stacks one and two, then three and four, and stack five is being completed in the next week. All the drywall repair work related to the re-pipe project should be completed by mid-October or earlier, depending on the stack involved. So, if the town were to grant our request and we were allowed to open by stack, those of you in stack six would be welcomed home first.
For nearly two years, we told you we would give you as much advance notice as possible. This is NOT official notice of an opening date, it is an announcement of our target date and the timeline will be updated weekly. The exact opening date is where the very short notice part comes in. This is because once we reach completion (to the point of being able to open), we cannot proceed until all required governmental approvals are received, and these approvals can and will affect our plans. The Town of Fort Myers Beach is overwhelmed with all the inspection requests due to all the reconstruction and sometimes we have to wait our turn. Once we reach a point of certainty on the exact opening date, each owner will be contacted by HGV. Therefore, once again:
We strongly encourage that any prearranged travel plans you make are able to be changed or are purchased on a fully refundable basis only. HGV, the Board, collectively and/or individually, will not be held responsible for any losses you incur in making travel arrangements for your visit to Seawatch. We will keep you updated weekly. As always, I am an email away, reach out to me and I will reply promptly. Thank you, Tim