Shaping Gulf Harbour's Future: Deborah Gear’s Journey on the Design Committee

When Deborah Gear moved to Gulf Harbour from Los Angeles, she learned something that would transform her retirement experience. 

Within weeks of settling in, she learned about the upcoming clubhouse renovation project—and saw an opportunity to contribute her interior design skills to something meaningful.

Today, as a key member of the design committee, Deborah has an insider's view of why joining Gulf Harbour during a club transformation offers advantages you won't have later.

"I worked in interior design for 25 years and of course, I was paid for what I was doing. Now I'm volunteering my time to do this. So giving back is really special to me," she shares. 

The renovation project stands as proof that when members step forward, extraordinary transformations follow.

The Collaborative Design Process

The clubhouse renovation started with conversations among members. Gulf Harbour eventually transformed those individual perspectives into a collective vision.

"For this particular project, our entire community of Gulf Harbour was involved. They put together focus groups to determine what the design direction was going to be," Deborah explains.

The groups talked about everything from aesthetic preferences to functional improvements. Then, the design committee sent detailed surveys to every member's inbox, asking about specific elements—like expanded outdoor dining, interior refresh styles, and activity room configurations. 

This meant that whether they attended meetings or responded to surveys, member input shaped the outcome.

"The most important thing I've learned through the course of my career is to listen to your client. You have to listen to what everybody wants, designing is very subjective and there are many ways of achieving the outcome," Deborah shares.

Committee members advocated for community needs, architects translated wishes into reality—and members saw their feedback reflected in every rendering. 

The Transformation Ahead

"It's going to be a complete transformation. The areas are so sophisticated and beautiful... every aspect of the club is being totally transformed: upscale, new, bright, airy," Deborah shares.

The design team crafted a classic contemporary resort style that replaces dark interiors with spaces flooded by natural light. Creams, whites, and coastal blues draw the outdoors in, while contemporary furnishings promise both style and comfort.

"The bar is inside and outside. When you're sitting inside looking out, you're looking across the bar at other members of the club. It's going to be a great area to socialize," Deborah explains.

Increased seating capacity means no more searching for tables during peak times—just more opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors. 

Every enhancement maximizes the club’s beautiful waterfront views and strengthens the social fabric that makes Gulf Harbour special—more space to gather, more comfort to linger, more beauty to share. 

Your Opportunity to Shape Tomorrow

For Deborah, committee work at Gulf Harbour isn't burdensome. It's engaging. It's exciting. And she welcomes all newcomers.

"My advice would be to get involved. It's not a lot of work to be on one of these committees. It's not intimidating. It's fun. You share your thoughts and suggestions by providing valuable feedback and just enjoy the experience," Deborah encourages. 

For those considering membership, timing matters. 

"If you're moving to Gulf Harbour or want to join the club, I think it's a great time to get in because once it's completed, then it's going to be very busy with a lot of new members," Deborah says.

Joining during transformation means you'll witness the evolution firsthand, build relationships during an exciting period of change, and potentially contribute your own expertise to future initiatives. You will also enjoy a financial benefit in becoming a member now before Gulf Harbour’s joining fee increases when the renovation is completed.

"I believe Gulf Harbour is the number one community in Fort Myers. And now with the new expansion and this grand transformation, it's going to be fantastic," Deborah says.

Will you be someone who hears about these remarkable changes after they're complete, or will you be part of the community that brings them to life? Now is the time.