Home |

olympics

A Game Changer for Central Florida

Landmark Olympus Project Approved by Clermont City Council

CLERMONT (May 20, 2019) – Epic news: Olympus is officially coming to Clermont.

Clermont’s City Council unanimously approved Olympus – an innovative 243-acre master planned community combining sports, wellness, entertainment and residential development – at the May 14 council meeting.

"The City of Clermont is thrilled to partner with Olympus to bring the next level of sports and medical facilities to Clermont,” Clermont City Manager Darren Gray said.

“Olympus aligns perfectly with our Choice of Champions brand and our reputation as a world-class haven for athletes. This is a historic moment for Clermont, and the City Council's unanimous approval reflects their enthusiastic endorsement of Olympus."

After a global search, Clermont was chosen as the location for its sense of community. The Olympus project is spearheading the Wellness Way Area, a growth and innovation corridor consisting of 15,000+ acres in close proximity to Orange County’s Horizon West and the western entrance of Walt Disney World. The Olympus development is estimated to create over 5,000 jobs and generate over $1.4 billion in local economic impact during a 10-year period.

“City Council’s vote is a milestone in the life of the project, and we are energized by the high level of excitement within the community and beyond,” said Mike Carroll, co-founder and chief operating officer of Olympus. “Together with our public and private partners and supporters, we are spearheading the Wellness Way growth area and creating a legacy for generations to come.”

2. Olympus co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Michael Carroll stands next to Clermont Mayor Gail Ash in the hallway and smiles after the May 14 council meeting

Guided by its brand promise of “Epic. Every Day,” Olympus uniquely combines multi-sport training and competition venues, leading-edge wellness, health and fitness facilities, and a dynamic town center featuring world-class restaurants, shops, hotels, cultural and community events, and more.

“Clermont is very fortunate to have been chosen as the location for Olympus,” Clermont Mayor Gail Ash said. “We are thankful that they saw how special our city is, and they’ll make it even more special.”

Olympus has gained the support of both the City of Clermont and Lake County and is working in partnership to create long-term value for all stakeholders and residents of Wellness Way, Lake County and Central Florida.

“Our vision is to create a multi-generational community and global destination that enriches the lives of residents, guests and the wider community, with a fully-integrated array of health, wellness, sports and entertainment facilities,” Carroll said.

Crafted by some of the most respected planners and engineers in Florida, the Olympus master plan comprises a synergistic array of development zones, including:

Multi-sport competition and training venues for collegiate, professional and elite athletes; featuring sports celebrities, legendary coaches and global sports brands/properties

Leading-edge wellness, fitness and sports medicine facilities for athletes, individuals, families, businesses and the local community; featuring public fitness trails, a state-of-the-art fitness and health club, healthy living/destination spa, and renowned orthopedic doctors/groups

World-class hospitality, dining, shopping and office/conference venues for visitors, businesses and local residents; featuring premier restaurant brands, unique retail brands, leading hotel/resort brands and more

Michael Carroll stands at the podium and makes a presentation on Olympus to Clermont City Council on May 14 to Clermont City Council in Clermont City Hall’s Council Chambers

“The Olympus plan integrates environmental stewardship, civic spaces, unique geography and world-class facilities,” said Olympus Senior Planner and Development Director G. Brian Wheeler, RLA. “It is all about creating experiences that are unique and unforgettable. I am thrilled to be working with the amazing Olympus team on this inspiring project for Central Florida.”

Wheeler has nearly 40 years of experience in environmental design and land planning for real estate-based assets, community and urban master planning. He brings a successful career of planning and implementing mixed-use development to the Olympus team.

A study by Henry Fishkind of Fishkind & Associates projects $1.4 billion in local economic impact from Olympus during a 10-year period with over 5,000 jobs being supported at buildout.

“Olympus is a transformational project that will produce long-term benefits to the people of Clermont and to Central Florida,” said Fishkind, one of Florida’s premier economists and financial advisers with over 30 years of experience in economic analysis and forecasting.

For information, contact Olympus at mike@olympusorlando.com or the City of Clermont at kdeen@clermontfl.org.

Conceptual site plan 3D scale of Olympus shows sports venues, trails, parking, pad sites, entertainment venues from aerial view

3D Perspective of Conceptual Site Plan for Olympus shows elevated buildings homes, entertainment centers

About the City of Clermont. Clermont, Fla., is known as the Choice of Champions® due to its international reputation as a training ground for elite athletes and the community’s celebration of the championship spirit. Founded in 1884 as a model town, the city of 40,000 is about 20 miles west of Orlando and is set among picturesque hills and pristine lakes. Clermont is the largest city in Lake County. More at www.ClermontFL.gov.

About Olympus. Olympus was created by Olympus Sports & Entertainment Group, a private development organization, whose unique vision is estimated to produce over $1 billion in economic impact and over 5,000 jobs for Greater Orlando at buildout. Guided by a brand promise of “Epic. Every Day,” the sustainably designed Olympus Master Plan features innovative development zones of excellence devoted to Sports Training and Competition, Sports Medicine and Performance, Health and Wellness, Entertainment and Hospitality, Business Innovation and Growth.

OLYMPUS PURSUING ‘EPIC’ SPORTS, WELLNESS, FITNESS COMMUNITY WITH CITY OF CLERMONT

Olympus Sports & Entertainment unveils 250-acre master plan estimated to create 5,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in economic impact

CLERMONT (August 21, 2018) -- Olympus Sports & Entertainment, a visionary brand and development project, said Tuesday night the company plans to build on 250 acres in south Lake County’s Wellness Way area, close to the western gateway of Walt Disney World. The project is estimated to create more than 5,000 jobs and generate more than $1.4 billion in economic impact during a 10-year period. The project is seeking annexation into the City of Clermont, which has the utility rights for the property.

The community, which will be named Olympus, with the tagline “Epic. Every Day.” will include multi-sport training and competition venues; leading-edge wellness, health and fitness facilities and a village that features sports-themed, world-class hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment.

Olympus founder and CEO Michael Carroll, along with economist Henry “Hank” Fishkind, presented the project to the Clermont City Council at a workshop Tuesday evening. Council workshops are for informational and discussion purposes. No votes were taken.

Carroll, whose background includes working with Olympic Games and other premier sports events, such as the Ryder Cup, said his company had conducted a global search for the right location for his project before landing on Clermont. Carroll said Olympus would focus on many of the world’s most popular sports, such as tennis, swimming, ice hockey, surfing, track and field and gymnastics. All of the arenas and venues will be “broadcast-ready,” he said.

Clermont City Manager Darren Gray said, “Today is a resounding show of confidence in our ‘Choice of Champions brand,’ our city’s leadership and our community. It shows what is possible when private and public enterprises share common principles and goals. It is also about the future -- providing jobs and inspiring future generations.”

Council members said they found the project “interesting.” Carroll said he plans to submit his plans for the first of September. The city’s Planning and Zoning Board will hold its first hearing on the project in October. The project will go to the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity before returning to the Council for a hearing in December. Carroll’s plans are also contingent upon purchasing the property.

Carroll said: “Olympus is grateful to Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks and City Manager Darren Gray for their leadership and commitment. Together, we are leveraging the power of sport, wellness, fitness and entertainment in a very innovative and market-driving way. The foundation we lay today will be used not only to build an iconic development, but also to leave a positive community legacy for tomorrow. We are driven by a passion to deliver ‘Epic Everyday’ for the long-term benefit of all stakeholders.”

Crafted by the well-respected planners and engineers, the Olympus master plan is comprised of complementary development zones, including:

Multi-sport competition and training venues for professional, amateur and Olympic athletes. Featuring sports celebrities, legendary coaches and global sports brands/properties.
Cutting-edge wellness, fitness and sports-medicine facilities for athletes, individuals, families, businesses and the local community. Featuring public fitness trails, state-of-the-art fitness & health club, healthy living/destination spa, and renowned orthopedic doctors/groups.
World-class hospitality, dining, shopping and office/conference venues for visitors, businesses and local residents. Featuring premier restaurant brands, unique retail brands, leading hotel/resort brands and more.

Olympus Senior Planner and Development Director Brian Wheeler said: “The Olympus plan integrates environmental stewardship, civic spaces, unique geography and world-class facilities. It is all about creating experiences that are unique and unforgettable. I am thrilled to be working with the amazing Olympus team on this inspiring project for Central Florida.” Wheeler has 34-plus years of experience in environmental design and land planning.

Olympus CFO Van Hoffman said: “We designed a plan centered on innovation and sustainability, and that plan is creating great partnerships in sport, wellness, technology, education, entertainment, hospitality and more. We look forward to announcing these partnerships in the months ahead as we build to our ‘official’ launch in 2020.”

Developers concept drawing of the proposed International Tennis Center

About Olympus Sports & Entertainment Group, LLC Olympus Sports & Entertainment Group, a Florida Limited Liability Company, is the creator and manager of Olympus, a landmark sports, wellness, fitness and entertainment development. The team is comprised of experts in architectural design, land planning, finance, real estate development, operations, sports marketing, branding and communications. The Olympus team is driven by a passion for creating long-term value for all stakeholders.

About the City of Clermont. Clermont, Fla., is known as the Choice of Champions® due to its international reputation as a training ground for elite athletes and the community’s celebration of the championship spirit. Founded in 1884 as a model town, the city of 35,200 is about 20 miles west of Orlando and is set among picturesque hills and pristine lakes. Clermont is the largest city in Lake County.