By the end of 2007, twenty years after the opening of the Villages at Country Creek in 1987, major remodeling of the clubhouse and renovation of the golf course were completed and operating at full speed. Both gave a new look to the community and were enjoyed by residents and the public alike. However, more improvements were in store for 2008.
The new year plans for 2008 included erecting a 300,000-gallon water tank to hold effluent from the county to water the golf course. A green tank and landscaping were designed to make the tank less visible to the neighborhood on Country Barn Drive. A small assessment for residents would make it all possible, but a portion of that money was returned to residents after a grant of $247,000 was received from the South Florida Water Management Department (SWFWMD).
Also that year, a new gate at the Three Oaks entrance was approved and completed in October, helping to reduce public traffic on community streets; however, community security continued to be a topic of discussion.
In 2008, Penny Monaghan left employment in the clubhouse, and Bill Wright was hired as food and beverage manager. Richard Montoya was executive chef. Lynn Danko, a retired travel director, came on board to assist the Social Activities Committee. She and Barbara Litzen, chairman of the committee, worked together in planning great trips and entertainment for the community. Ione Talmo was the new volunteer manager of Channel 95, CCTV.
On the golf course, the Ladies’ League champ for the year was Judy Brown, and the Men’s league champ was Ron Marks. The Men’s Club champion for 2008 was Rob Rattimer, and the Ladies’ Club champion was Pat Immonen.
It was Bob Nelson’s last year as president of the Master Board. He served well, calmly overseeing some of the busiest years for the board. In spring, Ron Reichert took over the presidency. Jerry Desmond was vice president, and Jackie Yndestad was secretary. Other members of the board were Gary Miller, John Beleutz, and Dan Cermack. Bob Lockard, treasurer of the Master Board for five years, resigned. Dave Imonen was appointed to take his place.
In the greater Estero community, there were major issues affecting Country Creek and Lee County: roads, mining, water sources, growing development, and a new hospital in south Lee County. There was a study to consolidate Estero and San Carlos Fire and Rescue. Arnie Rosenthal represented VCC at Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) to keep the residents aware of these issues and to offer the viewpoint of the community.
Among those planned for completion in Fall 2008 was Estero’s new post office, under construction along the east side of Three Oaks Parkway just north of Corkscrew Road. This 4,000-square-foot facility would house the Post Office’s retail operations for Estero. The existing Post Office facility on east Broadway would continue to operate in a different capacity.
The downward trend in new housing construction in Estero that began in the Spring of 2006 continued in 2008. During 2008 Estero’s new housing permits declined by about 62% from 2007, numbering 167 compared to 432 in 2007 and compared to a record 2833 permits in 2005.
However, this slowdown provided the Estero housing market the time to absorb much of its unsold or vacant homes. An October 2008 study of the resale-attached housing market showed only 316 units for resale in Estero. In addition, the number of 2008 closings in Estero increased 72% over 2007. In fact, Estero may have been the best real estate market in Lee County.
Although residential property values declined in Estero since 2006 as they did throughout Florida and the entire country, the October Resale-Attached Housing Study indicated that Estero’s “sales price to asking price” ratio actually improved in 2008. It appeared that in 2008 the Estero housing demand and supply were almost back in equilibrium.
However, Estero’s commercial development during 2008 was Estero’s third lowest during the previous nine years, exceeding only 2002 and 2003. Even though Estero’s commercial development slowed considerably, many commercially zoned properties along U.S. 41 and Corkscrew Road were cleared, the sites prepared, and the designs approved by the Estero Design Review committee in anticipation of an improved economy. The properties remain in this condition today.
