Back in March of last year, news surfaced that Kelly Slater Wave Company put in an application to construct its second wave pool in South Florida. According to reports, it’d be open to the public, but also serve as a training facility for WSL athletes, and also host events.
According to the South Florida Business Journal, a new application submitted by the WSL in tandem with AW Asset Management has additional morsels of information that could shed light on Kelly Slater Wave Company’s plans for Surf Ranch deux.
For one, the application mentions the WSL plans to host two to three contests per year at the Florida wave, attracting upwards of 50,000 people per year, and broadcasting the events on national television.
In addition to the pool, the application states that a 10,121-square-foot learning center/surf club, a 5,392-square-foot training center, and a 3,566-square-foot clubhouse would all be constructed.
Also, according to an economic impact report acquired by the South Florida Business Journal, Surf Ranch Florida would result in 307 jobs and $45 million in economic impact during its construction, and 236 jobs with an economic impact of $22 million (per year, presumably) thereafter. Although considering additional factors those numbers could reach as high as 332 total jobs and $33 million in economic impact.
So what’s all this mean for the championship tour at large? In short, it’s unclear.
Rumblings abound regarding if, how, and when the WSL plans to adapt the existing Championship Tour format, but if the rumors have any truth to them there’s a serious shake-up in the works for next year.
Following the WSL’s not-so-secret event at Kelly’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore last month, froth levels are high among the general public for a taste of what KS Wave Co.’s cooked up. For now, though, there’s little indication when, if all goes according to plan, Surf Ranch Florida will open its doors. After tomorrow’s meeting, the final zoning hearing will take place on October 26.
