OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Big things are happening at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) as part of what they call the “next evolution.”
WEC released a sneak peek video this month that shows off the latest series of property development projects slated for completion this year and next.
WEC broke ground on its second, four-story hotel last February. The new 390-suite pet-friendly hotel called The Riding Academy Hotel is already accepting reservations online for select dates.
Also this year, WEC plans to add a sixth indoor arena, seven additional outdoor arenas and a University of Florida Health Family Medicine Center.
Looking beyond this year, WEC says the expansion plans include a 180,000-square-foot event center in 2025. It will be built next to The Riding Academy Hotel and feature traditional meeting and event space, a grand ballroom plus four new restaurants, including two rooftop venues.
In addition to that, WEC’s master plan also calls for an upscale, outdoor shopping venue called The Shoppes Off 80th. It will have space for more than two dozen new retailers. That is also slated for completion in 2025.
The new video on YouTube invites viewers to “experience elite equestrian sport, true Southern hospitality, luxury accommodations, flexible event spaces, premier shopping” and more.
Justin Garner, the Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy for WEC, will share more about WEC’s future plans when he addresses the monthly breakfast meeting of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership on Wednesday, January 17, at the Reilly Arts Center.
WEC opened in December 2020 and hosted its first horse show in January 2021.