Hurricane Ian comeback: Sanibel's Lighthouse Beach Park gets green light to open again
The Good News vs. Bad News scoreboard on Sanibel Island is starting to tilt more toward good news these days.
John Lai, the president and CEO of the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, said the community got "the shot in the arm it needs" when it was announced on Tuesday afternoon that Lighthouse Beach Park is reopening.
Lighthouse Beach will be open again on June 16.
Lighthouse Beach Park, which is the home of the historic and famous Sanibel Lighthouse, is the last of the island's public beaches to reopen and just in time for what could be a positive summer season for Sanibel, which was struck by Hurricane Ian a little more than eight months ago.
"This news is the tourism draw that we believe will bring an exponential number of visitors for day trips to the island during the summer," Lai said.
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If that happens, businesses that are open and will reopen will certainly benefit as the long road to recovery continues. During the Category 4 storm on Sept. 28, 2022, the lighthouse lost one of its four legs but remained standing, a much-needed symbol of fortitude for the residents and visitors from around the globe who come to the island for its amazing beaches, photo-worthy sunsets, award-winning restaurants, wildlife and overall beauty.
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"We are well on our road to recovery," Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson said. "Sanibel Island is open and ready to receive visitors to our island paradise. Please come for the day, spend time on our beaches and enjoy a meal at one of our restaurants. Even better, stay with us if you can."
Fittingly, that announcement was made at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of the Francis P. Baily Jr. Chamber Visitor Center, which Lai and his chamber team hosted.
Lai said there were two priorities after seeing the damage that had taken place at the beach. One was to protect the structure of the lighthouse and the other to make the beach safe. It was a combination of the physical resiliency of the beach and the hard work of many people to achieve both challenges.
Both historic cottages around the lighthouse and the fishing pier were destroyed during the storm.
"Each of those projects were monumental," Lai said. "The lighthouse was a huge task. Looking at the beaches, whatever was buried in the sand was recovered to make the beach safe.
Lai said there is nothing new to report on the repairs involving the lighthouse leg other then saying the leg was found and preserved. It will be restored to the lighthouse. The area around the lighthouse will remain fenced so restoration can continue.
Johnson wants to remind residents and visitors they can keep up with the businesses that have reopened by visiting the Wander App developed and managed by Lai's Chamber of Commerce team.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Sanibel lighthouse beach park reopen as part of hurricane ian recovery
