TROPICS. SEE YOU IN A FEW. WELL, A WORLD CLASS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX COULD SOON OPEN UP IN MARION COUNTY. THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER HAS PLANS TO BUILD SEVERAL BALL FIELDS, RESTAURANTS, A HOTEL INCLUDING INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ARENAS. WESH 2’S SENAIT GEBREGIORGIS TELLS US HOW DEVELOPERS MUST GET APPROVAL FROM THE COUNTY FIRST BEFORE STARTING THE CONSTRUCTION. THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN MARION COUNTY ATTRACTS VISITORS FROM ALL OVER, AND IT’S NOW LOOKING TO DOUBLE THE CROWDS WITH A NEW PLANNED DEVELOPMENT. A SPORTS COMPLEX WITH ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS COULD SOON TAKE OVER. MORE THAN 200 ACRES. LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF WESH. THE SITE PLAN, WHICH GOLDEN OCALA WILL HELP BUILD, INCLUDES ALMOST EVERY SPORTS FIELD YOU CAN THINK OF FOOTBALL, SOCCER, BASEBALL, LACROSSE AND POLO. THERE WILL BE INDOOR VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL COURTS, RESTAURANTS, A HOTEL, AS WELL AS ARENAS TO HOST EVENTS LIKE HOCKEY AND CONCERTS. IT’S ALL IN ONE SPOT. THE PROJECT HAS TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL APPLICATIONS. CHUCK VERDON, DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY’S GROWTH SERVICES, PLANS TO RECOMMEND IT FOR APPROVAL. WE DO THINK THAT THE APPLICATION IS ALIGNED WITH OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH IS KIND OF LIKE THE BLUEPRINT FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FUTURE. MARION COUNTY THE LOCATION IS OFF HIGHWAY 40, IN AN AREA WITHIN THE URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY. VERDON SAYS THE PROJECT HELPS PRESERVE OPEN SPACES TO MAINTAIN THE EQUESTRIAN CHARACTER AND RURAL IDENTITY. IT’S MORE ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM FOR THE TAXPAYERS, SO WE CAN PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE, WATER, SEWER, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. THE COUNTY SAYS THE PROJECT WILL BE FUNDED BY THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER. THEY DON’T HAVE AN EXACT TIMELINE YET, BUT THEY ANTICIPATE A FINAL VOTE ON APPROVAL HAPPENING SOMETIME IN THE FALL. WE LOVE PEOPLE TO TO MAKE THEIR COMMENTS, YOU KNOW, AND THE BOARD WEIGHS ALL THAT, YOU KNOW AND TAKES ALL THAT INTO ACCOUNT. COVERING MARION COUNTY, SENAIT GEBREGIORGIS WESH TWO NEWS. PLANNING AND ZONING WILL MEET ON JUNE 30TH TO RECOMMEND THE PROJECT. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE

Advertisement World-class sports complex with entertainment arenas could soon open in Marion County Editorial Standards ⓘ

The World Equestrian Center (WEC) is looking to double the number of local and international visitors with a new, planned sports complex. The world-class sports complex with entertainment options could soon take over more than 200 acres located just south of WEC. The site plan includes almost all sports fields for football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse and polo.It will also have indoor volleyball and basketball courts, restaurants, a hotel, as well as arenas to host events like hockey and concerts.”It’s all in one spot,” said Chuck Varadin, the director of the county’s Growth Services. The project has to go through several applications.Varadin said he plans to recommend it for approval.”We do think that the applications align with our comprehensive plan, which is kind of like the blueprint for land development for the future of Marion County,” Varadin said. The location is off State Road 40, in an area within the urban growth boundary.Varadin said the project will help preserve open spaces to maintain the equestrian character and rural identity.”It’s more economically feasible and sustainable long-term for the taxpayers, so we can provide infrastructure, water, sewer, those sorts of things,” Varadin said. The timeline or cost estimate has not been revealed yet, but WEC will fund the project. “We love people to make their comments, and the board weighs all that and takes all that into account,” Varadin said. Planning and Zoning is scheduled to meet on June 30 to recommend the project for approval.County commissioners will meet on July 21 for a discussion.A final vote could take place between September and November.