Ocean Sports Development company recently submitted a preliminary application to Orange County with plans to build a $45 million surf park near the intersection of Avalon and Schofield Roads in Horizon West, according to a GrowthSpotter report released last week.

The 44-acre project would include a 15-acre pool capable of creating waves as high as 10 feet. The park would offer the public an opportunity for inland surfing with technologically generated waves creating consistent and controlled surfing conditions that would also make the facility an ideal location for future competition events.

Ocean Sports Development’s plans also include a beach volleyball court, playground, pavilion, a surf shop and an academic center for educational programs. According to the submitted materials, the proposed wave pool would have a 35-million-gallon water capacity and be surrounded by an artificial beach. The pool itself would have a 14-foot depth at its center and a 22-foot-high center island where their exclusive Webber Wave Pool system technology would be housed.

The park would be open to the public, charging a rate of $100 per 90 minutes or $33 per half hour.  Surfers can choose the waves they want to experience or a randomized selection. Surfboards would be available for rent or purchase.

About the Location

The Horizon West location would be the first for Ocean Sports Development (OSD), but the company has announced their plans to build 30 stadiums in the next 20 years. Among their reasons for the venture is a OSD’s intent to “create NATIONAL SURFING LEAGUE™ surf parks across the USA and to help advance surfing as a high school, collegiate and Olympic sport,” as explained on their website.

The prospected property is located across from Orange County National Golf Course and has been used for years as a private landfill for construction and demolition debris, like metal, sheetrock, concrete and brick. The landfill is set to close, making the land available for the project. OSD’s chairman Anthony Brown told GrowthSpotter that there aren’t any harmful gases or hazardous pollutants to cause concern, and waste won’t be moved offsite, just reconfigured.

The project is still in the early planning stages. Before any work can begin at the project site, Orange County officials would need to grant a land-use amendment. That is still currently pending approval. No timelines have been announced for the potential project.

About the Author

Leah is our resident researcher and expert editorial writer for Horizon West Happenings’ Community Engagement Team. When she’s not creating content for the residents of Horizon West, you can find her playing at Disney parks around the world or scoping out the hottest healthy eats and trends in the Orlando area.

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