LakePoint Continues Site Work, Welcomes New Partners

October 26, 2013

The LakePoint Sporting Community is on the move, as are a few million cubic yards of dirt.

Those driving down U.S. Highway 41 or Ga. Highway 293 have an opportunity to see the extent of the work going on for the community’s south campus, which is still predicted to open in late 2014. Graders and earthmovers have moved thousands of yards of dirt in order to level out the site.

“The topography of that area … is challenging. It’s a challenging site, so we are in the process of grading and the dirt removal,” said Natalie Springfield, a LakePoint press representative with Smartegies. “We’re moving more — we’ve been told by our site contractor that we’re moving more dirt than any other project in Georgia.”

According to a set of LakePoint talking points, approximately 11 million cubic yards of dirt and 5 million cubic yards or rock will need to be moved when construction begins on the north campus.

“This is amazing. The dirt they’ve moved in this time is unreal down there,” said Emerson City Manager Kevin McBurnett. “They’re doing a great job and we’re moving along real well. I’ve, of course, heard the announcements that have come out. I look forward to moving towards that, but right now we’re trying to get the infrastructure. …

“We’ve talked about it for a long time and you’re seeing a lot occur down there. It ramped up a little slow, but it’s moving full force down there. You can see the progress now.”

In addition to the ongoing construction work, LakePoint has moved forward with a new partnership with golfer Greg Norman and his Greg Norman Golf Course Design. According to a press release, a golf facility with more than 30 acres is planned and will include a full-service practice range, a nine-hole par 3 course and a Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy to offer coaching and instruction to LakePoint visitors.

“LakePoint is honored to have one of the finest players of the game of golf as part of our ever growing family of best-in-class partners and brands,” said LakePoint Sport Development Partner Judy Sparks in the release. “It is an honor to be the home of a Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy, and we look forward to all of the visitors to this state-of-the-art facility and course.”

In addition to the other facilities, a series of indoor training bays equipped with video equipment and swing analysis technology is among the planned features. According to the release, the course itself will be set in the natural landscape of the complex and have similar characteristics to other Greg Norman Champions courses.

A clubhouse and branded bar and restaurant are planned for the facility as well.

Earlier this year, LakePoint also announced it is welcoming an Atlanta Braves Clubhouse store, which will offer Braves merchandise such as jerseys, caps, jackets and novelties. According to a press release, the clubhouse also will offer tickets to the Rome Braves, Gwinnett Braves and Atlanta Braves home games. It will be located in the Sports Retail Village of the north campus.

In September, LakePoint announced it will host the Extreme Volleyball Professionals Tour in June 2014. The tour is an interactive beach volleyball event, according to a press release, and it is planned to take place June 27 and 28 at the beach volleyball area. More than 100 semi-pro teams and 24 professional teams are expected to take place. Overall, more than 300 athletes are expected to be in attendance.

“LakePoint is thrilled to bring some of the top athletes in the world in volleyball to Emerson to compete at our state-of-the-art facility,” said LakePoint Co-CEO and partner Earl Ehrhart in the release. “The EVP Tour events will be non-stop action for the whole family, with fan participation being center of the action.”

Read more: The Daily Tribune News - LakePoint continues site work welcomes new partners by Jason Lowrey