NAPLES, FL - Even this early in the new community’s history, it has become clear that Antilles’ varied amenities are a popular fit for its homeowners, with the Pickleball Racketeers near the top of the list of avid enthusiasts. This month’s Dazzleball Social and Shoot-Out is the 4th Open this year, and the 2nd Pickleball-in-the-Dark event designed to engage residents and the public alike in the fun and active lifestyle offered within its 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. The nature of doubles-team pickleball as a sport is fun, and easy to follow. Games can be fast moving, allowing for as much socializing between matches as suits Antilles’ resort lifestyle. The Dazzleball Shoot-Out adapts a tournament format of timed games, allowing as many players as possible to play as many games within a set time period. The Racketeers can arrange introductory lessons.

The ancient and traditional lawn game of Bocce is as sociable as it is subtly competitive. Done right, a game can be played all day long or until cocktail hour has faded into night. Bocce’s significance through the ages could be attributed to the fact that it is one of very few team sports that can be played competently with a wineglass in one hand. Consequently, the Bocce Jacks Club is an enthusiastic fan base that can be found in Antilles’ Tiki Hut most evenings around sunset, cheering on their teams.

Antilles’ brand new 4-hole Putting Green is located between the regulation Bocce and Pickleball Courts and serves its golfing population without the fees attached to private club golf memberships, a complimentary bonus to its homeowners. The Gopher Club, Go-phos for short, accepts all skill levels, stays out of the mid-day sun and favors late afternoon matches played until sunset when Antilles’ wide and unobstructed views west toward Rookery Bay light up the sky. In rainy season, rainbows can be spotted like fleeting magic from the Bay to Antilles’ own Kingfisher Lake. Because of the Green’s central location within the Game Courts area, it may be only a matter of time until the various Fan Clubs devise some sort of crossover triathlon.

Some in the Fabletes Fan Club have developed fitness regimens that engage several Antilles’ features in and out of their home base, the Exercise and Cardio Training Center. Walkers take the cart path around the Lake, then hit the treadmills or recumbent bikes before swim or spa sessions. All enjoy 24-hour access to the Flamingo Club Fitness Center which weight trainers in particular favor. The adjacent Gathering Room is always open for post workout conversations and general socializing. Overlooking the outdoor living area, it is the social center of the community, configured for dining and table games with a big-screen TV perfect for Game Days and a Fireplace Lounge for quiet times.

The Competitive Loungers are at the top of the list of Antilles amenity clubs. They rival only the Bocce Jacks in time spent perfecting their form in and around the expansive Resort Pool and its Sun and Shade Decks. Whether sunbathing, pool dipping, spa soaking or simply reading and socializing in the shade, the Loungers are living their best outdoor life in Naples, courtesy of Antilles, while overlooking the triple-tiered fountains in Kingfisher Lake and its wetland preserve, a 5-acre community resource for varied wildlife and nature sightings.

Taken together, all the Fan Clubs reflect the kind of engaged community of homeowners who enjoy living the good life in Antilles which offers handsome and contemporary Coach and Low-Rise residences presented in classic West Indies Island style architecture. Phase One is nearly sold out and the balance of the 212 homes will be built in a rolling construction format until completion. The Grand Coach Homes currently under construction will be move-in ready in February and pre-sales have been active. Priced in the $500,000’s, they are Antilles largest units, and low maintenance fees will continue to be a significant feature of the community. Construction of smaller Classic Coach Homes will begin shortly. They are 3-Bedroom units with screened-in Lanais, 1-car Garages and occupy a little over 1,500 square feet under air. As starter properties, they will continue to occupy a significant segment of the 54-acre community’s composition.

Following the same successful format as in Phase One, the new Grand Coach Homes will be 4-unit structures featuring 2-car Garages and large Lanais with each residence. The first floor Nevis offers a 3-Bedroom floorplan with 1,980 square feet under air, and was the first units to sell out in Antilles’ Phase One. A favorite feature among buyers has been the Nevis’ separate Storage Room which is in addition to the Pantry, both of which are lined with floor to ceiling wood shelves on two sides. The Storage Room is large enough that a current homeowner chose to turn it into an office. Preserve and water view orientations will be available and buyers can select their options and finishes during construction.

The upper floor Montserrat is the largest 3-Bedroom home in Antilles at 2,444 square feet under air. Its first floor Entry adds a degree of separation from the rest of the home that makes it feel like a single family home. Phase One owners have personalized their Loft as everything from a quiet reading and games space to an occasional sleeping alcove any grandchild would love. The Great Room offers the best big sky views in Antilles and parallels the first floor Nevis’ layout. The Montserrat is distinguished by higher ceilings and cove detailing in the Living and Master Bedroom, plus an extra deep screened-in Lanai that spans its wide Great Room.

The value of a home in Antilles has been built into it at every stage in its construction. No upgrades are required to get solid wood, 8-foot interior doors, Merano hardware, sleek, rocker-style lighting switches, cove ceilings per plan, higher ceilings and taller baseboards are standard. Shaker style wood cabinetry is used throughout the home with soft-close features, as are 42-inch high Kitchen upper cabinets and wide profile, porcelain tile flooring in all living areas and designer-level carpeting in the Bedrooms. Showers are tiled floor to ceiling and finished with substantial frameless glass shower doors. Kohler plumbing fixtures are standard as are double-sink Master Bath vanities. All Closets include custom built-in storage systems to promote air circulation. Exterior doors and windows are wind- and hurricane-rated and coordinated paver walk- and driveways are standard. Low E impact resistant aluminum windows are included as are reinforced concrete slabs with moisture barriers. Roofs are engineered with hurricane clips and 160 mph wind protection tie downs. All homes include Linen Closets, Pantries, walk-in Master Closets and separate Laundry Rooms, plus energy saving appliances. Quartz countertops are also standard throughout as are Kitchen island pendant fixtures and GE stainless steel Kitchen appliances - including on-trend French-door style refrigerators. Recessed lighting and pre-wiring for data, voice and video are standard features. The full range of selections and options available to homeowners can be reviewed at the Sales Office in the Flamingo Club. Be sure to check the Activities Calendar while there. Since so many Phase One homeowners have moved in recently, it is possible more Fan Clubs are forming. The bicycling population in particular grows with each home sale.

Antilles is a short drive from the fine dining and shopping opportunities of Old Naples and Marco Island’s world class fishing and beaches are equally close. It is a gated community 2 miles south of Tamiami Trail East (US 41), off Collier Boulevard (SR 951). Turn east on Port Au Prince Road and continue to The Flamingo Club, 155 Indies Drive East, Naples, FL 34114. Antilles is represented by JRW Developer Resources, a division of John R. Wood Properties. Please refer to AntillesNaples.com to register or call 239-691-4455 for an appointment. The Sales Center is open daily 10AM to 5PM and Noon to 5PM on Sundays. Jaime and Kerry are on site to answer any questions.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Antilles' amenity fan clubs are hitting their stride