Avatron USA Development CEO Dave Garrett has announced to Bartow County that Avatron Smart Park that was slated to open in Emerson has been shut down.
The $750 million technology-centered theme park was to be developed along with two hotels, a 300,000-square-foot retail center, and a 10,000-square-foot amphitheater on a 712-acre park near Paga Mine Road.
Their website stated that patrons would create their own 3D avatar and embark on a voyage through the corridors of a virtual realm. Each step forward, guests are more and more entranced by an immersive and interactive experience created with 3D videos, motion capture, 4D sensory technologies, holograms, and augmented reality. The park was scheduled to open in January 2019.
In an open letter, Garrett wrote that “with the anticipation of being just a few days away from a final finance completion announcement, one of [the] key partners had to suspend its participation. He felt that “no more time [could] be given or pushed back. Therefore, the Avatron project is being placed on hold indefinitely.”
Emerson Mayor Al Pallone told WBHF “we’re disappointed obviously. We don’t think it had anything to do with the city or our particular location. We still think that it would’ve been great for the city. It would’ve worked great with LakePoint. I think it had great synergy. We’re dismayed. Obviously, we had a lot of excitement for what was going on there.”
Garrett expressed much “gratitude for the overwhelming support and hospitality” that Bartow County provided throughout the planning of this park. He hinted that there may be a slight chance that the project could resume, but right now it looks to be unlikely.