Riviera Golf Estates residents concerned over proposal to replace golf course

Reporter: Jennifer Morejon Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
Riviera Golf Course (Credit: WINK News)

A big battle brewing in Collier County could potentially affect the safety and property values of 700 homes on and around the Riviera Golf Course.

Inside the Riviera Golf Estates, there’s a new plan for the currently open and active Riviera Golf Course to build homes in place of the course. An all-ages community inside a 55 plus neighborhood.

WINK News asked a Riviera Golf Estates resident what they thought when they learned about the proposal. “When we first saw it? Gotta watch my language here,” said William Cannon.

Cannon is a member of the Riviera Golf Estates Home Owners Association. He said everything in green on the map below is where new houses would be built.

Proposed changes to the Riviera Golf Course.

The plan also calls for the natural lakes on the golf course to be filled in, and artificial lakes built to keep that natural feel.

“This is not just a few people with this opinion. Everybody in this community feels threatened by this golf course. It’s not a, ‘in my backyard thing.’ It’s about the quality of our property, our life, and our values. But it’s also our very survival everybody knows that,” said Riviera Golf Estates resident Peter Osinski.

Osinski said there’s a lot at stake. He argues wildlife will be harmed, construction can pose health issues, traffic will increase, property values will go down. The golf course also serves as a floodplain designed to take on water during extreme flooding.

“There’s no reason to break it down and ruin it, and there no reason to take our floodplain and our security. This is a real threat to my way of life, my quality of life, and my very safety,” said Osinski.

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