Chamber hears about future of SCBR, holds ribbon-cutting
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce held its first on-island business luncheon since Hurricane Ian on Feb. 22 at the Old Captiva House at the ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva. Following the meeting, the resort conducted tours of its two new restaurants’ construction site, and the chamber held a ribbon-cutting for the Offshore Sailing School at the marina.
“Despite the destruction, in 2022 we had the best year ever,” Doug Babcock, president and chief executive officer with Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts, which manages ‘Tween Waters and additional properties and vacation rentals on the islands, said.
He reported that although SCBR lost use of many of its units, the Old Captiva House and other ‘Tween Waters facilities fared well.
“It was almost like there’s a bubble over this property,” Babcock said.
During the meeting, he talked about the resort’s improvements that began before the hurricane and are going forward. ‘Tween Waters is adding a second floor to the original Crow’s Nest. The Shipyard will occupy the first floor with a wharf theme, possibly serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new Crow’s Nest upstairs will serve as a fine-dining steakhouse, sushi bar and whiskey bar with views of the Gulf of Mexico and reservations-only seating for dinner. Both venues are set to open April 1.
As far as other SCBR properties, the West Wind Inn hopes to open 104 rooms by January 2026. The firm is in the early planning stage for the next generation of Castaways and Beachview cottage resorts.
“We are optimistic about the future,” Babcock said. “We are committed to being part of the recovery.”
In 2021, SCBR contributed more than $175 million to the local economy. He and board Chairman Tony Lapi attribute SCBR’s success to its strong and loyal employee base and to long-seated traditions.
Lapi led a Traditions & Trivia game session at the luncheon, awarding prizes to attending chamber members who could recall tidbits of ‘Tween Waters history.
“Tony himself is an important part of island history, having acquired the then ‘Tween Waters Inn back in the mid-1970s,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “‘Tween Waters has supported the chamber for 15 years. We can’t do what we do without them. We really tip our hats to Tony and Doug.”
Also at the meeting, Lai announced that Islands Night will return on May 3. He presented Bank of the Islands President Robbie Roepstorff with an award acknowledging the bank’s role in supporting the chamber post-hurricane with a $15,000 contribution to its SanCap Strong shirt fundraiser. Lai presented her with a Lighthouse Member award, an encased brick that was recovered from the site where the historic Sanibel Lighthouse keeper’s cottages were washed away in the storm.
“Offshore Sailing has been another of our super-strong supporters through the years,” he said. “We are thrilled they were able to move their Captiva sailing school from South Seas Island Resort, as it rebuilds, to find a new home at ‘Tween.”
Starting March 1, the nearly 60-year-old sailing school has two Colgate 26 sailboats and a new Jeanneau 440 monohull yacht based at the ‘Tween Waters, with possible additions in the future. It will teach a three-day basic Learn to Sail course, Performance Sailing course, and its weeklong Fast Track to Cruising course to earn certification to skipper a boat up to 50 feet. Certification courses are available with or without a lodging package.
“Offshore Sailing School has offered sailing courses to adults and families on Captiva Island for decades,” President and Chief Executive Officer Doris Colgate said. “We’re delighted to return to Captiva Island with our new resort partner, ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa.”
The Offshore Sailing School sponsored the luncheon.