PASCO COUNTY, Florida — A company that has a history of working with Visit Pasco as a tourism partner recently brought forward the idea of opening a snow park in the county.
- Snow park in county currently a 'conceptual idea'
- Company would have to make presentations to officials
- Area businesses intrigued by suggestion
"It's just a conceptual idea. It's a great idea," said Visit Pasco Tourism Director Adam Thomas. "It hasn't really been presented to our TDC board or our county commissioners or even the planning commission just yet for Pasco County."
The company behind the idea, Point Summit, also manages TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park and Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park in Dade City. Point Summit did not return requests for comment on available details of the plan, such as a possible location or what the park would include.
Thomas also said the county has very few details at this point. Still, he said it sounds like the kind of project Visit Pasco is trying to focus on.
"We're trying to lure in tournaments and events that other destinations aren't doing in Florida," Thomas said. He noted this would be the state's first snow park.
"Outrageous," said Ginger Storch of the idea. Storch works at Lori Anne's in downtown Dade City.
"I was around in '77, I think, when it did flurry or whatever, but it would be a ton of fun," she said.
She said she's excited for what it could mean for the gift shop and its fellow businesses if the park came to fruition and was located near Point Summit's other attractions.
"If it brings people into the area, they're going to come downtown, probably to eat, and then if they eat, they're going to shop. So, I think it would be a win-win all the way around – especially for the area. There are so many cool things to do that people don’t really know about," Stroch said.
Thomas said before the plan could move forward, Point Summit would have to give a presentation before the county's planning commission, the Tourist Development Council, and county commissioners. Public input would also be sought and taken into account.
"It'd be a great additive to what our destination offerings are that really differentiate us as a sports destination and aligns perfectly with what our new brand is, the Florida Sports Coast," said Thomas.