A well-known developer behind the World Equestrian Center and several other multi-million dollar projects in Ocala is looking for a positive recommendation from Marion County planning officials to construct a new sports and entertainment complex that would feature an indoor arena for concerts and sporting events, fields, courts, a restaurant, a hotel, and a food truck park.
Several requests related to the development, which is owned by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC, will be presented to the Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission during its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 28.
Last month, the proposed plans were presented to the Marion County Development Review Committee.
Golden Ocala is looking to amend two existing planned unit developments (PUD) to combine them into a single, united PUD, amending a portion of the united PUD to allow for the construction of an “indoor/outdoor sports complex and event venue facilities.”
The proposed sporting and entertainment complex would be situated on over 250 acres consisting of 391 parcels of existing PUD along W State Road 40, just west of NW 87th Court Road.
According to a conceptual plan, the new facility would feature an indoor and outdoor complex, each equipped with a variety of amenities.
The outdoor complex will feature multiple baseball fields, a soccer stadium, natural grass football and soccer fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and multi-purpose fields for softball, polo, and other sports.
The indoor arena will be equipped for ice hockey, volleyball, basketball, concerts, and graduation ceremonies, among other events. Additionally, the site would offer a restaurant and a food truck area.
The organization is asking the county to amend an existing planned unit development for the nearly 4,300-acre site that encompasses Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, a luxury community in northwest Ocala.
The group is hoping to increase the existing limit on hotel capacity at the site from 1,350 to 1,650 rooms, and to remove an existing restriction on concerts being held at the property.
Although county staff previously recommended denial and cited the potential for increased traffic and sufficient hotel rooms on the property, an updated staff report shows that staff now recommends approval, saying it “will not adversely affect the public interest,” and that it is “consistent” and “compatible” with the surrounding uses.
Regardless of the recommendation from the Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission or staff, the requests will be presented to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners during one of its upcoming meetings for final review and approval.
The Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission next meets on Wednesday, May 28, at 5:30 p.m. at the McPherson Governmental Campus.