Funding Secured for Construction of the Ron Jon Surfpark
Surfparks secures $9 million in Funding from individuals investors, led by Greg Jones and Sky Dayton, as well as from institutional investors, led by Funk Ventures Capital Partners, Ron Jon Worldwide and Clark Investments.
Orlando, Fl (PRWEB) May 20, 2005 -- Surfparks LLC, Ron Jon Surf Shop, B.T.
Orlando LP, and Belz Enterprises are pleased to announce the securing of over $9
million in funding to complete construction and open the Ron Jon Surfpark.
Sources of funding include a $3 million construction loan and more than $6
million in venture funding, led by Gregory Jones (Founder of WorldRes) and Sky
Dayton (Founder/Chairman of EarthLink). Equity investors include Funk Ventures
Capital Partners, Ron Jon Worldwide (world’s largest surf shop), Clark
Investments, and several other private investors. The Ron Jon Surfpark will be
an anchor attraction at Festival Bay Mall, located on International Drive in the
heart of Orlando, Florida’s entertainment district. Construction of the Surfpark
is expected to begin this summer, with a grand opening planned for mid
2006.
The Ron Jon Surfpark is the world’s first wave pool facility built
specifically for surfing and bodyboarding, and will include three innovative
Surf Pools to accommodate all levels of wave-riding enthusiasts–from
first-timers to world champions.
“We are thrilled to reach this milestone
after over 5 years of dedication to the project,” says Surfparks founder and CEO
Jamie Meiselman. “This would not have been possible without the vision of
countless advisors, investors, partners, and future guests, who have shown
tremendous commitment to the project. On behalf of my co-founders Doug Kirk and
Nick Behunin, and our technology partners, Aquatic Development Group and Surf
Pools Ltd., we want to thank all of those people for their passionate support of
this dream.”
The center stage of the Ron Jon Surfpark is the Pro Surf
Pool, which utilizes patented technology to create perfect, salt-water waves up
to 8 feet high. As large as a football field, the Pro Surf Pool can generate up
to 6 waves per minute, with ride lengths from 60-100 yards. A
computer-adjustable Versareef™ pool floor allows nearly infinite variety of left
and right-breaking wave shapes and includes pre-programmed bottom contours that
mimic some of the best natural surf breaks in the world. The Pro Surf Pool is
designed for use by experienced surfers and bodyboarders who are confident in
overhead surf.
Aspiring surfers and bodyboarders will also enjoy
tailor-made facilities at the Surfpark, including a professionally-staffed Surf
School offering group and private lessons, and a Training Pool with slow rolling
3-5 foot waves for up to 35 yards. The Training Pool also features the
Versareef™ floor to deliver a diverse menu of wave shapes covering first-time
beginners right up to intermediates preparing to step up to the Pro Surf Pool. A
third Boogie Pool will pump out a steady stream of peeling 3-footers, offering
an easy introduction to the thrill of riding waves.
Out of the water, the
Surfpark features a fully-stocked surf shop and full-service restaurant, both
operated by Ron Jon. “We’re pleased to see the new Ron Jon Surfpark project
getting underway,” said Ed Moriarty, president of Ron Jon Surf Shop. “It’s a
natural extension of the Ron Jon brand, as we can now offer consistently perfect
waves as part of the Ron Jon experience.”
Ample space and seating has
been designed throughout the facility for up-close and unobstructed viewing of
the action in the Surf Pools. The 100,000 square foot Surfpark can accommodate
nearly any size event, from an 8-child birthday party in the poolside VIP Suites
to a full-blown concert, surf-movie premiere, or world-class televised surf
event.
The Surfpark is a natural fit for Festival Bay, which has already
established an action-sports foothold with its successful indoor/outdoor Vans
Skatepark and 14,000 square-foot Ron Jon Surf Shop. “The addition of Ron Jon
Surfpark, coupled with the other one-of-a-kind anchor destination tenants at
Festival Bay Mall at International Drive, will ensure that the property will be
the premiere destination for locals and tourists, alike,” said Andrew J.
Groveman, senior vice president of B.T. Orlando LP, owner and developer of
Festival Bay Mall at International Drive.
Contact
Information
Surfparks LLC, e-mail protected from spam bots
Heather Lewis,
Ron Jon Surf Shop, (321) 799-8880, ext. 1049, e-mail protected from spam
bots
Carla Parks, Gilbert & Manjura Marketing, (407) 521-1568, e-mail
protected from spam bots
About Surfparks
Surfparks was formed to
develop and operate the world’s first and finest wave riding facilities
utilizing proprietary technology to create perfect surf in a pool. The Ron Jon
Surfpark is owned/operated by Surfpark Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries.
Surfpark waves are powered by our technology partners: Aquatic Development Group
and Surf Pools Ltd. Visit Surfparks at: www.surfparks.com.
About Ron Jon Surf Shop
Ron Jon
Surf Shop was founded in 1961 when surfing enthusiast Ron DiMenna began selling
surfboards at his tiny oceanside shop in Long Beach Island, N.J. The
lifestyle-apparel and board-sports-equipment retailer has since opened stores in
Cocoa Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and Orlando Fla., and Orange, Calif. The company’s
flagship store in Cocoa Beach is the world’s largest surf shop. It operates 24
hours a day, 365 days a year. Visit Ron Jon Surf Shop online at: www.ronjons.com.
About
Festival Bay Mall at International Drive
Festival Bay Mall at International
Drive, a venture of B.T. Orlando Limited Partnership, is a lifestyle retail and
entertainment establishment. The property is unique in that each of the anchor
tenants is one-of-a-kind to the Orlando market and not a typical mall department
store. Tenants include Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Cinemark 20 movie theatres,
Vans Skatepark, Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear, Sheplers Western
Wear, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Fuddruckers restaurant and Murray Bros. Caddyshack. The
complex’s elegant tropical design, featuring intricate mosaic tiles and a series
of inter-connected walkways and plazas around a created waterfront, reflects an
upbeat Florida lifestyle. Located in the heart of Orlando’s visitor district,
Festival Bay Mall at International Drive has become a regional center for
residents and a vacation destination for visitors to relax, shop, and have
fun.
About Belz
Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Belz is a leading
innovator in real estate development with interests throughout the Southern
United States. Belz develops, owns and/or manages more than 30 million square
feet of industrial/warehouse/distribution centers, shopping centers, office
buildings, mixed-use centers and corporate campuses. The company also owns a
group of premier hotels, including The Peabody hotels in Memphis, Orlando and
Little Rock. Visit Belz online at: www.belz.com.
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb242704.htm