As we near Thanksgiving, let us look back – sometimes way back – back to what has happened this year and look ahead.
Since the election of the current board in January, a lot has gone on in our Burnt Store Marina community. This month’s article will address many things that have occurred this year, to provide our owners with a wide variety of information.
This Past Year Has Been Very Active For Our Community, Not Just What You See, But Also What You Don’t See.
One of the immediate changes you may have noticed with the new board is amount of information that has been provided to our owners.
In the past, the only way of knowing what was presented at a monthly board meeting was to attend the meeting. If you could not, or did not choose to attend the meeting, at best you had to wait a month for the minutes to be published after they were approved at the next monthly meeting. Then you had to go to BSM22.org or the Vantaca portal and look for the minutes from the previous month. Need I tell you how often that happened? As the Board Secretary, my goal was to ensure that our owners had timely information on what was going on in our community. We now publish notes, and along with the monthly board meeting notes, other documents that are of interest to owners, within a few days of the board meeting. They are also posted on the Vantaca portal. These are not the legal minutes, but notes of what was discussed, information and documents that may be of interest to our owners.
Our Board Treasurer and our accountant at Alliant publish a one-page sheet with information on the financial holdings of Section 22. This is included with the board notes. It is also available on the Vantaca portal as well as all the association financial reports. It is important that our owners, who are stakeholders in what has become a $6.2 million dollar business, between our Section 22 Association and the amenities, know what is going on financially.
The goal of the 2026 board has been to ensure that all our owners know what is going on with the association, and have access to notes and the documents to have as much information on our community as possible.
Veterans Day – November 11, 2026
I would be remiss if early on in this article I did not say, “Thank you to our veterans.” All you have to do is drive around the marina and see the flags, license plates and frames, shirts and hats to know we are a VETERAN’S COMMUNITY. To those that have served, and those that continue to serve and protect each of us and our great country, thank you does not seem like enough. We appreciate your service.
Don’t forget the Salute to Hero’s weekend events being held to salute our US Service veterans. During this weekend, there will be a golf scramble at the BSMCC, a 5k at the Fitness Club, a dinner at Cass Cay and a brunch at the Trading Post. All these events are focused on saluting our veterans. For those of you that have served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines, and now the Space Force, we are indebted to you.
The Last Ten Months
There was no easing into this board year. Starting days after our annual meeting in January, we had to address issues with staffing, and our community and amenities. When you operate what is in essence a residential community, you cannot put off until tomorrow, what needs to be done today.
The BSMCC
Our prior manager at the Burnt Store Marina Country Club resigned prior to the annual board elections, and a replacement had to be found. The board charged Troon, our golf course management company, to find a General Manager who was goal driven, attentive to detail, personable and relatable to our members and community and, most importantly, able to return the course and Linkside Café to the conditions our owners deserve. Our new General Manager had to have the ability to grow our golf course and restaurant operations, and move them forward. We have been blessed with Alyssa Eshleman, who came to us as our new BSMCC General Manager. She inherited many challenges, like a golf course that was not in good shape, some due to the drought and serious issues with our irrigation system, and changes in the course ground-keeping staff. There were also issues with the building that houses Linkside Cafe and the Pro Shop, as well as staffing issues. The food service operation had two chef turnovers in a few months, and an inconsistent menu, as well as longer than should have been acceptable food times. All these issues had to be addressed quickly and professionally. With Alyssa and her staff being on board for only about 10 months, she and they have done an exceptional job.
As we look ahead, the course is in better condition than it has been in many years, thanks to Brigido, our head groundskeeper and his staff, and Alyssa, keeping her foot on the peddle.
In addition to the golf course, the kitchen has undergone significant renovations, with new flooring, new cooking equipment to speed up the food delivery times, and a deep cleaning of the kitchen and dining area. The dining area has been repainted, redecorated, and has a new fresh appearance. The bar area has seen changes, with more to come. Our new Chef Werner came on board in October, and will bring new and refreshed menu choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He brings a fresh set of eyes to our food service operation. Recently, pricing of meals has been adjusted to be more in line with the wishes of our community. For other areas of the Linkside building, the lobby has been redone to be more welcoming, and the men’s restroom, which was embarrassing, has been renovated.
If you have not been to Linkside Café to eat a meal, or just to grab a quick drink and snack, for one of the social events or to play golf, come to the BSMCC and see what you are missing. Better yet, if you are not a golf or social member, inquire about how to join, and enjoy the benefits of membership.
A New Board Member Was Appointed
At the January annual meeting of the board, there were three seats up for election to the Section 22 Board of Directors. Sadly, out of the community of over 1,700 doors, only two residents submitted their names to run for the board. Thankfully, Angie Dewitt stepped up and volunteered for appointment to the open board position. Being a CPA, and with a professional career in HR, she has been a great addition to the board. Angie was also indispensable to assist the board with the hiring process of the new General Manager of the BSMCC before she joined the board.
Irrigation For The Golf Course And Community
Our wells were old, and two of the four were not producing enough volume, or a very good quality of water. Of our four irrigation wells, two provide water for the golf course irrigation, and the other is for our community irrigation. The issues that caused the two wells to need attention were that both had largely collapsed. When originally drilled, sleeves were only installed to a low depth allowing the well holes to collapse due to our sandy soil and high-water table. By being very shallow, the water they were providing was not of good quality for irrigation of our plants and grass. Mid-last year the new well was dug for the golf course, and as we were waiting for the second well to be drilled for community irrigation, the company that had signed a contract, walked off the job. They advised that they had a client, who was bigger, and provided more income than our project was mandating, so they drilled several wells for them immediately. They contacted us late in the year, and said they would come back to drill the second well, but only if we paid them a much higher price. They refused to honor the previous contract. After a lot of effort by our CAM and the Infrastructure and Irrigation committees, the board was able to find another drilling company and as of September 2026, the community irrigation well is providing dependable and better-quality water to our community.
All Section 22 Roadways Are Now Paved
2024 began a three-year project to repave all the roads that are owned by Section 22. This year was the completion of that project. All our Section 22 roads, the parking lot for the Fitness Club and the Bark Park have all been paved, keeping our community safe and fresh.
Ten-Year Amenities Purchase Assessment
2026 saw the final year of the assessment to purchase the amenities; the golf course operation, the fitness center and our irrigation. With this being the final year of the passage of the community legislation for the purchase of our amenities, the $380 assessment fee will drop off our annual assessment bill in 2027.
The Fitness Center
Leigh Anne Hall, the Manager of the Fitness Center, and her staff have worked tirelessly to improve the center. From the minute you walk into the building you cannot help but notice the changes. The equipment has been painted, the cushions recovered, and the overall facility extensively cleaned. In response to concerns from members, who had some mobility issues, there is now a handrail to assist those entering and leaving the facility, and provide a hand hold for balance. The tennis and pickleball areas have wonderful areas to relax between or after matches. Many new fitness, aerobics and other classes are being offered, as well as water aerobics at the pool. If you are not a member, stop in and talk to one our desk staff and see how a membership may fit your needs.
Other Things You May Or May Have Not Seen, But Make Our Community More Appealing And Safer
• The front gate water fountain area has been updated, and the fountain has been re- sealed to address some leakage issues and a settling over the many years since it was built. It is now ready to serve as the welcome for BSM for many more years. There are new plantings, and the area looks new and refreshed.
• The video equipment at all three entry gates has been upgraded to higher definition cameras, and a computer system that has a much better ability to record and obtain information to protect our residents. Since the upgrade was completed in August, the system has assisted our staff in identifying and locating several people who had caused damage to our community, or were here for reasons that were concerning from a security standpoint.
• More events in and around the community.
○ The BSMCC, for several years, has had the extremely popular Food Truck and Music nights on Thursday nights. This year they have added Music under the Tiki on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. in the afternoon, with drinks and a snack-type menu from the food trailer.
○ Sunday footfall has returned to the Linkside Café with the NFL package and food and drink offerings.
○ Special events at the golf course and throughout the community ensure that there are lots of entertainment opportunities without ever having to leave BSM.
○ HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS will return, and is always one of the MOST popular weekends of the BSM year. As always, there will be the tree lighting, the golf cart parade, the boat decorating competition, as well as many other events to lead us into the holiday season. Look at this and next month’s Beacon for a schedule of events.
In August, Mark Murphy wrote an article about the history of the Burnt Store Marina area. Let’s take a few moments to let you know the timeline of the development of the Burnt Store Marina. (let’s give credit where credit is due. Some background information came from an on-line history written by Graham Seggar).
• Between 1969 and 1972, PGI, Inc started obtaining land which would become Burnt Store Marina and Burnt Store Lakes. Information that is available, is that Charlotte County, and there are many stories about why, was not receptive in the development of BSM, and through boundary adjustments, moved what is now BSM to Lee County.
• In June of 1973, Lee County approved the plat for PGI Section 22, what is now Burnt Store Marina.
• In April, 1974, PGI Inc. requested permission from the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge over 320,000 cubic yards of dirt and sand to construct what became the marina, in Burnt Store Marina.
• In May, 1978, the first permits were issued by Lee County for 96 residential units in BSM that are the Commodore Club.
• Also, August, 1978, saw the completion of the building that is now home to The Trading Post, and is the location of the marina office, a realty office, the boater’s restroom and laundry were opened as the Ships Store and realtor’s offices.
• In February 1979, documents for PGI Section 22 were amended to address the intention of developing a golf course on BSM property.
• In April 1979, the first 90 slips of the marina were operational.
• 1979, South Shore condominiums construction began.
• On March 16, 1980, Saltys Harborside Restaurant opened. This is now Cass Cay.
• Osprey and Pelican, which were initially called East and West golf courses opened in 1981.
• Capstan, Spinnaker, Rudder Club and Keel Club were completed and opened for occupancy in early 1982.
• Platinum Point Yacht Club was incorporated in 1984. Their first clubhouse was a double-wide trailer behind the Ship’s Store.
• The north basin of the marina opened for mooring of boats in 1988. In the same year, Marina North Shore and Admiralty Village were completed.
• McCumber Golf Course, which is now Heron, was opened late in 1988.
• Also, in 1988, the Fitness Center opened. It is not what we have today. The center had a small fitness facility and tennis courts opened.
• Platinum Point Yacht Club completed their new clubhouse in 1995.
• In the late 80s and 90s, Vista del Sol and many of the housing HOA’s, individual homes and other residential areas of BSM were built.
• Also, in the late 90s, Marina Towers was initially supposed to be three multi-story buildings. However, due to Lee County refusing to allow the original plans to be amended to add stories to buildings two and three (now Harbor Towers 1 and 2), the builder stopped Marina Towers as one building, and submitted plans for the two Harbor Towers buildings.
• The current Burnt Store Fitness Club, as we know it today was completed and opened in 2000-2001.
• In 2002, the new Burnt Store Golf Course Clubhouse was completed to replace a smaller facility and included the Linkside Café, a pro shop, cart barn and other needs for the golf and food operation.
• What is considered the final phase of BSM, Prosperity Point and Grand Isles were completed in the early to mid-2000 to 2010.
• Since the early 2000s Burnt Store Marina has seen single family residential homes built. Grand Isles completed the multi-story buildings that are dispersed around the marina.
• All this development over the last forty plus years has made the Burnt Store Marina a unique blend of single family, courtyard-style single-family homes, low-rise condos and multi-story condo buildings, restaurants, three golf courses, a marina, and other small business operations. A place to see and be seen, and more importantly, to enjoy all that life has to offer.
Burnt Store Marina continues to thrive as one of the most sought-after locations to live and play in SW Florida. With our blend of diverse housing options, and recreational activities, we provide many life-style amenities that other residential areas in SW Florida do not. The BSMCC with the golf course and Linkside Café Restaurant, Safe Harbor Marina, fitness center with pickleball and tennis and the association pool, dog park and other recreational activities, BSM is without a doubt the place to live in Lee County and SW Florida.
As we enter November, we welcome back those who are seasonal residents. We look forward to the coming holiday season, and most importantly we wish each and every member of our community a healthy and safe holiday season. Time to enjoy with family and friends and the chance to sit back, relax and take in the blessing of this great community we call our home.
Ed Buns, Section 22 Secretary, Lori and I, living in and enjoying our community since 2008.
