Park renovation creates uncertainty for bocce players

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—Bocce ball players at Veterans Park said they feel left in the dark as Cape Coral works on a renovation project.

The city said power and restrooms are temporarily out of service as it resurfaces new basketball and tennis courts. Cape Coral set up temporary bathrooms in the parking lot. But the power is still out - that means the lights are off at the bocce courts.

The Italian-American Bocce League started its season Monday, and players said they feel frustrated. 

Nancy Esposito has run the league for more than 20 years. Her son, Joe Brown, said he started playing bocce at Veterans Park with his grandmother more than a decade ago. 

At 43-years-old, he's one of the youngest members.

"It's pretty devastating," Brown said. "I mean, this is something they look forward to. It's almost like their Monday night football. This is their Monday Night Football."

Brown said it's a safety hazard. He questioned how the older players could walk down the steps or get to their car - not to mention, see the ball.

Normally, the league starts playing around 6:30 p.m. Sometimes, they don't wrap up until 10 p.m.

On Monday, they started at 5 p.m. because of the lights. 

"A lot of people aren't coming back," Claire Heyward said. "We're losing players, teams, people that have played for years, especially older people. They need light at night to see. I need it." 

Several players say this is how they socialize, stay active and find companionship. Now, they're not sure when the lights will come back on.

"It gives you something to do, and it's exercise," Dorothy Trier said. "Camaraderie is a big, big thing when you get to be our age. So we love it, we love it."

Mike Mischitelli pointed out that other groups use the courts, including a Special Olympics team that he used to coach. He estimated around 200 people use the courts to play bocce. 

WINK News reached out to the city for answers. Cape Coral said it's been communicating with the league and pointed to an Aug. 27 press release. It said power will be restored once all upgrades are complete. Cape Coral will issue a public notice when that happens.

"The City thanks residents for their patience as the Parks and Recreation Department makes improvements to Veterans Park," the release said.