Osceola County could have as many as 1,000 new jobs by 2018 if a proposed $309 million action sports resort is built.
Osceola County could have as many as 1,000 new jobs by 2018 if a proposed $309 million action-sports resort is built.
Officials with Xero Gravity Action Sports LLC announced plans Wednesday to develop the Action Sports & Entertainment Resort off U.S. Highway 192 near its intersection with State Road 535. Entrance to the park will loop guests past a Target store located there.
"This is the No. 1 tourism destination in the world," said Larry Walshaw, chief executive officer and founder of Xero Gravity.
Walshaw said resort planners are still in discussion with Osceola County officials about the project, but a 75-acre site is under contract with Central Florida Investments., parent company of Orlando-based Westgate Resorts.
David Siegel, chief executive officer of Westgate Resorts, said he signed the contract Oct. 20 and a $50,000 deposit was made for the site. Walshaw's group has until April 20 to make a second deposit and commit to going through with the sale.
The sale will either close 60 days after that, or Xero Gravity Action Sports LLC can choose to extend the contract and delay the closing date. He would not disclose the price for the parcel of land.
Xero Gravity officials said the large resort will offer an alternative to "ride-oriented theme parks." It anticipates a million guests annually.
The developers said they had a study by Texas-based Impact Data Source that projects about $1.97 billion taxable sales during a 10-year period.
Walshaw, a real-estate executive from Jacksonville, said the resort will also host pro and amateur competitions.
"Think X Games, with sports shows and clinics, and we will have daily competitions at all venues for visitors who like to compete," he said.
The park will be open every day with general operating hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It's likely it will open from 8-10 a.m. to allow local amateur-sporting teams to use the facility for training and practice.
Admission prices will range from $35-$95, Walshaw said.
The resort will also include a 250-room hotel with a rooftop pool and bar, the International Action Sports Hall of Fame, a 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor skateboard park, a USA-BMX-sanctioned racetrack and two "sky-diving pods."
A 14-story ski and snowboard mountain that operates with fake snow not requiring cold temperatures will include nine snow-tubing lanes.
Other highlights of the development include an indoor dodgeball trampoline arena, a 2,000-seat amphitheater, two 14-story water slides by WhiteWater and a Challenge course, rock climbing up to 140 feet and zip lining throughout the park.
Walshaw said the resort should be successful because all these components exist, but not all in one location.
"They're all fragmented," he said.
Other executives who will be on the new project include Jim Hunt, chief operating officer, and Steve Pollak, senior vice president of asset and development management.
Pollak said the company is still investigating the property involved, is in the "due-diligence" phase and is having discussions with Osceola County regarding incentives and financing
