30-Acre Surf Adventure Park Plans To Open In Tampa Bay In 2025

TAMPA BAY, FL ? While Australia-based Surf Lakes isn't yet revealing the location, the company has confirmed that it is building a 30-acre Peak Surf Park in Tampa Bay that is scheduled to open in 2025.

Surf Lakes, a leader in surf pool technology, has released renderings of the proposed park featuring Surf Lakes' patented wave mechanism, which has the ability to simulate consistent, ocean-quality waves for varying skill levels in a controlled setting and offer beginners and experts alike a unique surf experience.

Though the property is intended to be a surf destination, Tony Miller, Peak Surf Park?s founder, said it's also a massive development, which will include half a mile of pristine beaches, concert and event venues, bars and restaurants, retailers, education and business facilities, fitness and wellness amenities, learning facilities and workspaces.

It will feature a family club that will offer children's camps, day care, yoga and fitness classes and space for social gatherings, according to Miller.

He said the park also plans to offer programming and development opportunities for underserved populations and will be built around a model of sustainability, focusing on implementing resources and practices that will benefit Tampa Bay?s waterways and ecosystem.

?Beyond tapping into the widespread surf culture and introducing a destination to the Tampa Bay area that will draw interest from all over the world, we?re creating a shared experience that every single member of this community will benefit from in some way,? said Miller. ?Surfing is truly just the start of what we?re hoping to build here.?

In a preliminary survey conducted by hospitality consultant Hotel & Leisure Advisors, whose clients also include Crystal Lagoons and Great Wolf Resorts Inc., the concept of a surf park in the Tampa Bay area was enthusiastically received.

Approximately 90 percent of respondents expressed their interest level as very high or high and, among those surveyed, nearly 20 percent used the words ?excited,? ?can?t wait? or ?looking forward to it.?

Amenities that garnered the most interest include the full-service restaurant, rooftop bar, simulated surf machine and surf lessons.

Miller said the economic impact study showed the park is set to turn a significant profit and generate more than $50 million in both surfing and non-surfing revenue in its first year. By its second year of operation, Peak is expected to attract more than 800,000 visitors annually.

Its 10-year projections indicate Peak will create more than $1.3 billion in annual business output and approximately 700 jobs per year. Tax revenue for the state of Florida and prospective county is expected to increase by a combined total of nearly $150 million over 10 years as a result, according to a news release from Peak.

Miller added that Peak prioritizes sourcing local goods and services as much as possible during the construction and operation of the park. He said the park?s estimated construction budget will have a major economic impact, resulting in a total output of $30 million, generating more than $16.9 million in local construction activity and more than $2 million in local real estate, rental and leasing activity alone.

Peak said the selection process for a site is in its early stages and numerous locations are being considered including in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. However, the feasibility and economic impact analysis is from two sites in Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Depending on land and permitting approvals, Peak said it will likely take two to three years to get the park built and open.

While Miller said the company isn't ready to quote exact prices yet, but he said he wants the park accessible to all, so intends to make park admission affordable. Waves will be priced hourly and memberships will also be an option.