Balmoral resort opens with Tai Chi, soccer star

Haines City’s latest top-notch resort – featuring a soccer academy developed by a Brazilian soccer star – started things off with a bang on March 31, thanks to two confetti blasting canons that fired shortly after the ceremonial ribbon was cut.

The 100-acre Balmoral community, developed by the Feltrim Group, is more than a soccer academy. The facility already has a pool and water park to go along with 102 single-family homes. More than 80 additional homes will be built as part of Phase 2. The R9 Ronaldo Soccer Academy, developed by the Brazilian soccer star, broke ground last week. Plans are for it to be completed by the end of the year.

When finished, the $125 million development will have 245 house that sell from $320 to $550,000. The 10-acre soccer academy will be among the houses. The development will feature four natural lakes and six additional manmade bodies of water, as well as a clubhouse.

Investors for Balmoral are mostly from overseas, mostly China, the United Kingdom and South America.