IMG
RESORT COMMUNITIES
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"Necessity
is the mother of invention"
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The Need
In the context of creating a unique, high-energy draw to Hemisphere’s
largest brownfield redevelopment project, Lakeview
Bluffs, Hemisphere
approached IMG, the world’s leader in sports and entertainment
management, with a novel development concept: create the world’s
first sports-oriented resort community.
The Vision
By utilizing large tracts of underutilized property located near
major metropolitan areas and by borrowing “best practices” from
IMG Academies and other luxury resorts, Hemisphere will build a
new category of active resort/community for the $40 billion, underserved,
active travel/lifestyle market. Hemisphere has secured an exclusive
arrangement with IMG to pursue this new development concept.
IMG Resort Academies
Each new development’s principal feature will be the IMG
Resort Academies, focusing on world-class instruction in golf,
tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, and other field sports.
Programming also will focus on comprehensive health, fitness, rehabilitation
and wellness, designed by leading medical experts. This complex
will emulate the IMG Academies located in Bradenton, Florida, the
world’s most successful multi-sport training institute for
elite athletes, which has trained star athletes, including: Andre
Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Wimbledon Champion Maria Sharapova in
tennis; Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Jeter in baseball; Mike Weir
and Michelle Wie in golf; Kevin Garnett and Vince Carter in basketball;
Freddy Adu and Christie Welchel in soccer; and the Australian and
Chinese Women’s Olympic teams. IMG, which runs an average
of 11 major sports and cultural events around the world every day,
including events such as Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in tennis
and the Skins Game in golf, will stage a continued stream of special
events (15 per year) drawing families and tourists to the facilities
year round.
The Appeal
IMG Resort Academies will appeal to consumers by delivering:
• A fun, active, family-oriented environment;
• Training for the recreational and the committed athlete; and
•An intriguing corporate meeting venue.
The development concept also will provide:
• World-class instruction in offered endeavors including a culinary
academy, art institute and other non-athletic recreational interests;
• Exceptional service;
• Outstanding
sports, recreation and spa facilities;
• A sophisticated, yet casual setting; and
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A constant flow of “special events” crafted by IMG,
designed to maintain a high-energy atmosphere at the resort community
year-round.
Hemisphere has launched a national search to identify well situated
sites meeting our development criteria.
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