Grand Boulevard in running as performing arts venue

SANDESTIN – South Walton may soon play host to Las Vegas-style productions if a Myrtle Beach, N.C.-based production company chooses Grand Boulevard as the site for its newest performing arts venue.

At its meeting on Thursday, the board of county commissioners approved a resolution in support of a move by Spirit Productions (USA), Inc. – an international company that produces performing-arts shows – to set up a temporary site at Grand Boulevard.

“They have an operation similar to this in Myrtle Beach and it’s been very successful, so I think what they wanted to do is duplicate that model at another tourist destination on the beach,” said John Heiser, the executive vice president of The Howard Group, which developed Grand Boulevard.

The number of visitors to the tri-county area is roughly the same as the number that comes to Myrtle Beach each year, he added. However, Spirit Productions has to compete with 22 other entertainment venues in Myrtle Beach, and virtually none here.

Spirit Productions also has looked at sites in Okaloosa and Bay counties and has not made a final decision. But Heiser said he expects the company to make a final decision within the next couple of weeks, and that Grand Boulevard is considered “a favorite.”

He and Stacey Brady, Grand Boulevard’s director of communications, say one of the advantages that Grand Boulevard has over similar venues – such as the Emerald Coast Conference Center – is that it already draws a “critical mass” with its numerous options for shopping and dining, as well as lodging and professional offices.

“And the proximity to the resort is a huge advantage,” Brady added, referring to the resort at Sandestin.

“I think that the people of this area, no matter where it lands, this will be just a fantastic addition to the region,” Heiser said, then added with a laugh, “I think that next to the Southwest Airlines announcement coming in, this might be the second most exciting announcement.”

If the plans move forward as anticipated, Spirit Productions would set up a temporary, 1,500-seat air dome or tent facility.

The first season would run from the end of May through at least the middle of August, but possibly through Labor Day, Heiser and Brady say. After that, the company would pack up and leave, and the site could possibly host local events until Spirit Productions returns for a Christmas production.

The first two or three years would be a test run, but if the market supports the venture, Spirit Productions could set up shop permanently.

Thursday’s resolution echoes similar sentiments from the Walton Area Chamber, the Walton County Tourist Development Council, the Walton County Economic Development Alliance and the Sandestin Owners Association, which have passed their own resolutions in support of the move.

Negotiations started after representatives from Spirit Productions showed at a recent city council meeting in Destin and discussed the possibility of setting up a venue somewhere in Walton, Okaloosa or Bay county.

Heiser said David King, the company’s executive producer, seemed to fall in love with Grand Boulevard at first sight.

“They haven’t 100% bought into any spot yet, but we like to think we’re the best spot,” Heiser said, adding that Grand Boulevard is “kind of on the 50-yard line.”

“We draw from all over, people from Apalachicola to Pensacola come here, and we were able to show them all the demographics and traffic counts,” he said.

For more information about Spirit Productions, go to www.spiritofthedanceproductions.com.