Aerial views of Estero, Florida, 2025
Check out these aerial scenes from the Estero area.
- The Village of Estero, Florida, broke ground on a new sports and community complex called High 5.
- The complex is part of a larger 100-acre project known as the Village Center, intended to be a central gathering point.
- This public-private partnership is expected to be the most expensive capital project in the village’s history.
Estero’s “downtown” is starting to take shape. Village of Estero representatives in November helped break ground on the city’s delayed High 5 sports and community complex.
About 100 people turned out Nov. 14 to celebrate the Village of Estero milestone that marked the first step toward the city’s vision for a central gathering point for the community. Mayor Joanne Ribble, High 5 Entertainment founder Scott Emley and Village Manager Steve Sarkozy were part of the short program that included a ceremonial shovels-in-the-dirt moment.
The High 5 complex is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
Estero planning interconnectivity between High 5, trails, sports fields
High 5 will include indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, miniature golf, bowling, arcade and other family entertainment elements. A scratch kitchen will service indoor and outdoor dining with a sports bar theme. A large digital wall in outdoor social space will allow for large-scale sports broadcasts and “movies-in-the-park.”
The entertainment district, also known as the Village Center, and The Village Hub, is part of a larger 100-acre project Estero is undertaking that will include trails, soccer and baseball fields, pickleball courts, open space and food truck parking. The hub is already home to the city’s civic uses, Estero High School, and Estero Community Park and Recreation Center.
Located on 20 acres east of Via Coconut Point and north of Williams Road, the entertainment center was put on hold after the village purchased more land and the entire 100 acres was planned. The master concept plan for the entire project was approved by the Estero Village Council in January.
High 5, a Texas-based food and entertainment company, initially was expected to open at the end of 2024 and then in October 2025. Now, it is set to open fall 2026.
Village hub expected to be most expensive project in city’s 10-year history
As part of Estero’s first public-private partnership, High 5 will buy the land from the village, and the village will receive an annual priority payment equivalent to 40% of net income in exchange for the village’s allocated investment into land, site development, and entertainment-related amenities.
High 5 will include indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, miniature golf, bowling, arcade and other family entertainment elements. A scratch kitchen will service indoor and outdoor dining with a sports bar theme. A large digital wall in an outdoor social space will allow for large-scale sports broadcasts and “movies-in-the-park.”
Under a 90-year agreement, Austin, Texas-based High 5 will construct a two-story building that includes a mezzanine and outdoor bar seating area. Indoor family entertainment elements will include bowling, an arcade, laser tag, ax throwing and a dining room and bar. Among the outdoor elements will be an 18-hole miniature golf course, 21 pickleball courts and socializing space for games such as bocce and cornhole.
The entire project is expected to be the most expensive capital project in the village’s 10-year history and is part of Estero’s big-picture growth plan that includes converting all septic systems to sewer and creating interconnecting communities, parks, and entertainment spaces. The village is doing this while keeping property taxes low and the village fiscally sound. Its housing options are diversifying, and the village has a clear design concept that it keeps strict tabs on with developers.
Village wants a “central gathering point” for the community
Village of Estero representatives say the vision for the community is to create a “park once and stay the day environment, blending family entertainment, lifestyle, sports, and recreation opportunities for a multigenerational audience.”
Community access for residents and sports tourism events are both priorities for this area. The sports complex will have interconnectivity to the trails, the parks and the other community spaces.
J. Kyle Foster is a senior growth & development reporter for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach her by emailing [email protected].
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.news-press.com ’
