Florida Resorts See Influx of Snow Birds
Wed Feb 24, 2010
Author: Laura Ruane
Source: news-press.com
Snowbirds have flocked back to Southwest Florida's RV resorts, possibly more so than last winter.
And, despite the shaky economy, new parks and expansions are rolling along. These include:
• Caloosa 80, a Class A motor coach community planned for a parcel just east of Hickey Creek Mitigation Park on State Road 80; and
• Golden Palms motor coach Estates on State Road 82 east of Alabama Road.
The latter project is by Harp Development, the company behind the upscale Cypress Woods RV Resort on Luckett Road.
Cypress Woods caters to Class A motor coaches. However, Harp has preliminary plans for a new, adjacent project - Cypress Trail RV Resort - which would welcome nearly every class of recreational vehicles.
"There's still a strong Class A motor coach market, but there was a dearth of spaces for regular folk," said Jack Carver, Fort Myers-based publicist for the regional branch of the Florida RV Trade Association. "A lot of people go to the state parks," Carver added, "but there are only so many state parks."
Nationally, demand is strong for existing sites, according to the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
"Most RV parks and resorts that cater to snowbirds are reporting higher occupancies this winter than they did last winter," said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the RV parks association based in Larkspur, Colo.
Profaizer attributes the surge to such factors as an improving economy and stock market, moderate fuel prices and a strong Canadian dollar.
Although the economic recovery remains slow, RV owners - especially snowbirds - aren't foregoing their Florida migrations, said Sam Whitcomb, president of Bonita Springs-based Whitcomb Associates Inc., developer for Caloosa 80.
"You've got 8 million Class A motor coaches, just in this country. They're coming down to Florida for longer stays, and they want better amenities," Whitcomb said.
Caloosa 80 is undergoing zoning changes, and scheduled for final review before the Board of County Commissioners on March 1, Whitcomb said.
It's targeted to open in about a year. The 417-site park will have different neighborhoods clustered around lakes and such features as a nature preserve, gardens and sport courts.
Lot prices will start at less than $100,000, and peak at about $250,000, according to Whitcomb.
At Golden Palms Motorcoach Estates on State Road 82, developers have one model site finished, and are working on the others, said Richard O'Connell, sales director with Harp.
Lot prices at Golden Palms vary from $175,000 to the mid $200,000 range. An unusual feature: 14-by-35-foot "casitas" or small concrete-block-and-stucco houses that will be part of the lot package. These typically will include a kitchen, full bath and sitting area, as well as laundry space.
Pete and Judie Gemuenden of Duluth, Minn., are spending the winter at River Bend RV Resort in Alva, where they own a lot for their motor home. Pete, who's 70, stays active in industrial sales, but relishes his winter hiatus. He says they've seen RV camping change since they got into it in 1992.
"The lots have gotten longer, the clubhouses are more dignified," Pete Gemuenden said. When you hear the word campground, you think of bonfires. But these are more of recreation centers."
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