AdventHealth has closed a purchase of the Holy Land Experience theme park property, promising to expand its health offerings for the area off Vineland Road.
The sale of 14 acres at 4655 Vineland Road closed Aug. 2 for $32 million, according to property records, allowing the expansion of the region’s largest hospital system.
“AdventHealth will make a significant investment in redeveloping the property to bring enhanced health care services to the community,” said Amy Pavuk-Gentry, an AdventHealth spokesperson. “Details on our site plans will be released in the future. Orlando continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and it’s important that residents have access to health care that’s close to home, convenient and comprehensive.”
The parent company of the Christian theme park, Trinity Broadcasting Network, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Just before the pandemic struck last year, the theme park laid off 118 of its employees, which accounted for nearly all of its workforce. This came soon after Holy Land Experience ended all of its stage shows.
In documents filed at the time of the layoff, the company said it was ending most of its attractions, and shutting down most of its departments, besides a museum and education attractions, which included an exhibit of biblical artifacts and a model of ancient Jerusalem and the city of David.
The park last opened in April for two free days of admission, a requirement by the state in exchange for tax breaks the attraction received in 2006 that allows it to not pay property taxes if it offers a free day of admission annually and displays biblical artifacts.
The sale was first reported by the Orlando Business Journal.
rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com