Lakewood Ranch to Celebrate Its 15th Anniversary

Posted October 12, 2010

    Lakewood Ranch is preparing to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the first homes sold at this master-planned community in Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida just north of Sarasota. The celebration, free and open to the public, will occur October 15th starting at 4:00PM at the Sarasota Polo Club.

    For those not familiar yet with Lakewood Ranch, it is a 8,500 acre master-planned community with over 150 miles of sidewalks and trails, community parks, lakes and nature preserves with forest and wetland preserves. The private Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club offers year-round play on 54 holes of magnificently designed courses, 36 designed by the Palmer Course Design Co. and an 18 hole course designed by Rick Robbins as well as a practice range, practice chipping area and practice putting greens. The club also includes an athletic club with an 11,400 square foot fitness center, 2 heated outdoor pools and 18 lighted clay tennis courts. Lakewood Ranch also offers Polo and Cricket clubs.

  &nbnsp; Families will be pleased to learn that Lakewood Ranch also has top-rated schools, unique shops and boutiques in eight different shopping areas, business parks, and a hospital and medical center.

    Arts and cultural activities are an integral part of the Lakewood Ranch lifestyle. Events like Music on Main, Evening Under the Stars, the Suncoast Wine Festival and Art at the Ranch are all favorites. And, just minutes away are all the myriad cultural venues in downtown Sarasota.

    As the premier master-planned community on the famous Florida Sun Coast and the largest green-certified community the nation, Lakewood Ranch attracts many new and interesting new residents and businesses.

    For example, in September, Sanborn Studios announced plans to build a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art TV and film production studio in Lakewood Ranch. The studio plans to begin production on one pilot this November and another in the first quarter of 2011 creating 117 new jobs over the next three years at an average pay of $72,000/year.

    State College of Florida just opened its new $11.2 million facility on their Lakewood Ranch campus. The new 42,000-square foot facility of classrooms and laboratories will house students studying nursing, other health professions, education and energy technology management It will also function as a clinical setting for students in a simulated hospital environment.

    As a major component of Manatee County, Lakewood Ranch shares in the designation of the Bradenton / Manatee County area as one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People." America's Promise Alliance, founded by retired General Colin Powell recognized the community's focus on programs that keep children in school and prepare them for life in the 21st century workforce. Specifically, the "ManaTeen Club," which posts volunteer opportunities for youth and the "Take Stock in Children" program that helps low-income children stay in school and graduate from college were recognized. "Bradenton / Manatee County is taking bold and effective steps to help their young people graduate and lead healthy, productive lives," said Marguerite Kondracke, President and CEO of America's Promise.

    The popularity of Lakewood Ranch is further demonstrated by the fact that, despite the overall slow-down in residential real estate nationwide, Lakewood Ranch builders are building new homes again due to the continued popularity of the community.

    Lakewood Ranch currently consists of eight individual "villages" with everything from townhomes to custom-built estates ranging in price from the $200's to over $6.0 million Some of the villages are private, gated communities while others are more typical neighborhoods, all sharing a real sense of community and the picturesque landscapes of forests, wetland preserves and nature trails.

    If you've been thinking about buying a home in Florida's "Sun Coast Paradise" come to the Sarasota - Bradenton area and tour Lakewood Ranch You're sure to find a home, condominium, carriage home or townhome that fits your needs and desires perfectly at very attractive prices right now.

    The Lakewood Ranch 15th Anniversary celebration starts at 4:00PM on October 15th. That would be a perfect time to come savor the truly unique attractiveness of the Lakewood Ranch master-planned community.