Proposed “Oakes Landing” Entertainment Complex Could Transform Former Bonita Springs Dog Track Site
A long-dormant landmark in Bonita Springs may soon be reimagined as a major family-focused destination, as new plans call for turning the former Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track into a large-scale entertainment complex known as Oakes Landing.
The proposal, submitted by Oakes Farms, Inc.—the company led by Alfie Oakes—would redevelop the roughly 99-acre property along Bonita Beach Road near Old U.S. 41 into a mixed-use recreation hub featuring dining, entertainment, and community gathering spaces.
According to planning documents, the project would include a more than 100,000-square-foot development with restaurants, bars, event space, live music venues, pools, playgrounds, and other recreational amenities designed to appeal to families and visitors of all ages.
While much of the site has sat underutilized for years, portions are currently occupied by a card room, restaurant, simulcast betting area, and other small-scale operations. The surrounding land is largely open and overgrown, with some sections used for storage and parking.
Under the new concept, Oakes Landing would significantly expand activity on the property, hosting concerts, community events, and seasonal programming aimed at creating a year-round entertainment destination. Developers say the goal is to bring new energy to a centrally located but underdeveloped parcel in Bonita Springs.
As part of the application, the developer is also requesting approval for additional parking beyond typical zoning limits. Plans call for approximately 43% more parking than the minimum required, exceeding standard allowances along the Bonita Beach Road corridor. The request is based on anticipated event crowds and peak visitor demand.
City planning staff have reviewed the proposal and recommended approval, noting that the scale and mixed-use nature of the project justify the expanded parking requirements.
Community reaction has been mixed but largely optimistic, with some residents welcoming the idea of a new family-oriented entertainment hub in the area, especially one that could add more dining and recreation options for younger families. Others see it as a natural continuation of ongoing redevelopment trends along Old 41 and surrounding corridors.
Another component of the broader redevelopment vision includes a separate wellness and fitness concept proposed by Elevate SWFL on part of the property, further contributing to the site's transition into a multi-use destination.
The project was scheduled for review by the Bonita Springs Planning and Zoning Board but has been continued for further consideration in the coming months.
If approved, Oakes Landing would mark one of the most significant redevelopment projects in Bonita Springs in years, transforming a former racing and gaming venue into a modern entertainment and lifestyle center.