GULFARIUM ADVENTURE PARK ON OKALOOSA ISLAND TO MAKE FURTHER EXPANSIONS

It looks like things are doing very well for the new Gulfarium Adventure Park. “Expansion” is a good word, when it comes to growth opportunities for the Fort Walton Beach area. I expect you should be hearing some more good news on the growth of the Fort Walton Beach area. If growing traffic is an indication, beach worshippers have found that Okaloosa Island with their miles of unspoiled beaches to be a place to vacation.


Gulfarium plans expansion

Adventure park will add ropes courses, zip lines

By KARI C. BARLOW

315-4438
@KariBnwfdn kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com  

OKALOOSA ISLAND — The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is making way for an elaborate, multilevel network of zip lines and ropes courses. Under a partnership with Florida Resort Recreation, the Gulfarium will develop the complex on about one acre of vacant land northwest of the park. “We’re excited about the partnership and offering different services,” Gulfarium general manager Patrick Berry said. “People will be getting out of their hotels and enjoying our beautiful weather.” Berry said the new complex will be suited for families and anyone who enjoys the outdoors and “good exercise.” Gulfarium’s expansion will feature more than 800 feet of ropes courses and zip lines. It also will include bungee jumps, climbing towers and chipping and putting greens. “We’re basically taking two large ropes courses and connecting them,” said Russ Scott, who owns Florida Resort Recreation. Scott’s company currently operates Baytowne Adventure Zone at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. He said the Gulfarium complex has been in the works for more than a year. “It’s such a great attraction,” Scott said. “What we do — it’s something that needs to complement something else.” Scott said he considered placing the adventure course across the street from the Gulfarium on 2.8 acres of county property that’s up for lease but decided he would rather be on the south side of U.S. Highway 98. A proposal for the county land also includes a park with ropes courses called Wild Willy’s Adventure Island. County commissioners have yet to approve the project, which is backed by the Destin-based Dominion Capital. Berry said the Gulfarium’s expansion will have a separate entrance, separate admission fees and possibly a separate name. The area also might feature an eatery or concession stand. He said construction could begin this fall. The target opening date for the zip line and ropes course complex is March 1, 2013. The Gulfarium recently reopened after more than five months of renovations, including new exhibits and paint and signage throughout the complex. More cosmetic upgrades are scheduled for the fall.