Olympus, the innovative master-planned community and lifestyle destination encompassing 250 acres in central Florida, is revving up for a 2023 groundbreaking on its dynamic Sports Campus. The campus, uniquely programmed to include a cutting-edge Performance institute, impressive range of multi-sport training and competition venues and a year-round schedule of amateur, collegiate and elite events, will be bolstered by new and exciting partnerships with NHL Ice Hockey Hall of Famer and founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Phil Esposito, and Boston-based EDGE Sports Group.
Esposito, one of the greatest ice hockey players and one of the most influential ice hockey executives of all time, is now the founding member of the Ice Center at Olympus. Estimated to cost $20 million, the Ice Center at Olympus will feature two NHL regulation ice surfaces (including one fully sled-hockey-compatible surface) for ice hockey and figure skating training and competition.
“Olympus is a truly visionary community and incredible sports destination,” said Esposito. “I’m so proud to be a part of the Olympus Ice Center, which is not only going to energize the growth and popularity of ice hockey in Florida, but also globally.”
Esposito, whose likeness is immortalized on a statue at Tampa Bay’s Amelie Arena, continued, “The Ice Center at Olympus is the perfect platform for teams like the Lightning to deliver exceptional development programs to Central Florida. It’s also the perfect venue for high school, collegiate and professional team training and international competition.”
“From the moment we began planning the Ice Center at Olympus, I knew Phil was the right partner,” said Michael Carroll, CEO of Olympus. “He brings an incredible passion to the Center’s development and programming. I value his friendship, leadership and the important role he plays as a global ambassador for the sport of ice hockey.”
It was also announced today that Olympus has developed a strategic partnership with Boston-based EDGE Sports Group, the premier athletic ecosystem specialists, to facilitate development, design and management of the 60-acre Sports Campus at Olympus.
“EDGE is a powerful addition to the Olympus team, bringing over 30 years of experience in delivering on all aspects of sports venue design, development and management,” said Carroll.
Located at the highest elevation on the Olympus property, overlooking the internal lake with dramatic views of Central Florida, the Sports Campus will feature traditional and emerging sports across indoor and outdoor training and competition venues; a year-round schedule of amateur, collegiate and elite events with onsite hospitality and entertainment; and an all-encompassing Performance Institute for top athletes from around the globe.
“We are honored to join forces with Olympus and its team to deliver a self-sustaining, thriving and globally renowned sports hub and destination in Central Florida,” said Brian DeVellis, founder and president of EDGE Sports Group. “Our job doesn’t end when the last brick is laid. We ensure that the Sports Campus at Olympus remains a community cornerstone for decades to come.”
The crown jewel of the sports campus will be a 5,800-seat multi-purpose arena ready to host major sporting and entertainment events. The sports campus will also feature an international soccer center comprised of a 3,500-seat soccer stadium and multiple soccer pitches; the Ice Center; a multi-sport fieldhouse for volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and more; a beach volleyball pavilion; a 4.5-mile trail system for triathlon and other special events; and the largest authentic red-clay tennis court center in the U.S. designed to host large-scale events on par with major international tennis competitions.
“We’re known as the ‘Choice of Champions’ not just because so many elite and Olympic athletes live and train here, but because we carry that way of thinking into our community,” Clermont Mayor Tim Murry said. “Olympus continues to introduce and develop quality and relative partnerships that will allow these athletes even more training and competition opportunities, and that will benefit everyone involved. We are very excited about what is coming soon to Wellness Way!”
The cutting-edge Olympus Performance Institute will help the world’s greatest athletes train, improve, refine and recover with elite-level strength and conditioning, athletic training, nutrition and athletic dining services, and more. Amenities include hydrotherapy, sauna, cold and hot tubs, cryotherapy, and a red-light therapy pod. Additionally, the institute will house an athlete lounge and content creation center giving athletes the opportunity to stay on top of every aspect of their game.
Athletes, fans and guests alike will enjoy the benefits of onsite hospitality at one of four hotels across the Olympus master plan, including a highly-amenitized sports resort and conference center.
Another Olympus partner, Broadcast Service Group, will bring full-service broadcast and video production services to the Sports Campus, ensuring that venues are always broadcast-ready. Broadcast Service Group’s portfolio of clients includes ESPN, NBC Sports, Telemundo, Fox Sports, MLS, Orlando City, US Open Tennis and more.
Already making a significant impact in Central Florida, Olympus is projected to bring more than 2,800 jobs and have an economic impact of more than $1.5 billion at buildout.
To follow the development of Olympus, for more information or to inquire about opportunities, visit olympusorlando.com.
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