60K-square-foot adventure park opening in Lakewood Ranch

A 60,000-square-foot attraction is opening this weekend in Sarasota County. Urban Air Adventure Park is welcoming its first guests Sept. 27 to experience everything from trampolines to a ninja warrior course to rock climbing walls off Interstate 75 near University Town Center.

The venue is part of the Urban Air Adventure Park franchise, which includes more than 400 parks open or under development. On average, the parks do about $4.9 million in sales each year, according to franchise disclosure documents.

All Urban Air Adventure Parks come with a standard package of activities, including trampolines, a ninja warrior course, rock climbing walls, dodgeball arena and battle beams, where opponents try to knock each other off a padded beam with oversized jousting sticks. In addition, the Sarasota venue offers slides, an “air court” (indoor sports court), zip line, ropes course, laser tag and mini go-karts.

Husband-and-wife team Michael and Tracey Tucci, who own the Sarasota location at 6450 Professional Parkway W., also own Urban Adventure Park franchises in Tampa and Brandon. Those went into former HHGregg and Winn-Dixie store locations, the Business Observer previously reported.

Image via Urban Air Adventure Park / Facebook

Building the Lakewood Ranch facility started as a $5 million to $7 million concept but ended up turning into an $18.5 million project, Michael Tucci previously said.

For the Lakewood Ranch park, the Tuccis purchased 7.5 acres for about $3 million from Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch along Professional Parkway where the road runs parallel to I-75.

Lakewood Ranch-based Halfacre Construction built the facility, a project that lasted more than a year.

“We have worked hard to bring a safe, fun and super exciting family entertainment center with incredible attractions for the entire family,” Urban Air Adventure Park Sarasota co-owner Tracey Tucci says in a statement. “We make memories where families can disconnect from a busy outside world and cherish the joy of laughter and giggles through play.”

Before becoming Urban Air franchisees, Tracey Tucci was a professional ballerina with the Sarasota Ballet, according to a statement, which says MIchael Tucci was the CFO of a Florida medical company and also a part of restaurants and nutritional stores. 

Tickets to Sarasota's Urban Air Adventure Park start at $15.99 for children 40 inches and under and are $29.99 for deluxe tickets and $39.99 for ultimate tickets, the latter of which includes access to all attractions.

Urban Air Adventure Park is part of the Unleashed Brands company, which also includes Sylvan Learning Center and Snapology, among other brands.