Third Northeast home donated by PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® Program
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 16, 2022) –U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Matthew Perry, a Purple Heart recipient, has received the life-changing news that PulteGroup is building him a new mortgage-free home through PulteGroup’s Built to Honor Program. Sgt. Perry and his family will break ground on their future home at Forest Park at Wildlight later this summer.
“We are honored to build this home for Sgt. Perry and his family in appreciation of his bravery and service to our country,” said Tony Nason, Division President of PulteGroup’s Northeast Florida Division. “We are thrilled to build a home for Matt and his family that is fully accessible and that will vastly improve his quality of life.”
Being built specifically for the Perry family, the home is designed to meet all of Sgt. Perry’s needs. The Forest Park at Wildlight location offers easy access to parks, nature trails and is within walking distance of UF Health Wildlight.
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program and welcome the Perry family into the Wildlight community,” said Wes Hinton, vice president, Wildlight. “It truly is our honor to be a small part of giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for their country.”
This is the third home dedicated in Northeast Florida through PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program and is in partnership with Building Homes for Heroes®, a national non-profit organization strongly committed to rebuilding lives and supporting the brave men and women who were injured while serving our country’s armed forces, with the support of Wildlight.
For more information about PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® program, visit builttohonor.org and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
Wilmington, NC – ideal-LIVING magazine is pleased to announce the Best Places to Live issue that features the Top 100 Planned Communities. The honorees are also revealed on www.ideal-LIVING.com/bestplaces.
Ideal-LIVING researched communities from our readers’ most-desired areas based on survey results. Each year we survey our readers to determine the most popular destinations and amenities. The destinations featured in this special issue are representative of those desires.
Most of our readers are looking to escape high taxes and find a better climate and quality of life. Whether you would like to move to the mountains or the coast or even internationally, the communities in this issue should help give you ideas of where you might like to live.For more than 25 years, ideal-LIVING magazine has been a leading national publication for readers who are nearing retirement age or who are interested in the benefits of relocating their families or businesses. From its headquarters in Wilmington, North Carolina, each edition of the quarterly publication is curre
ntly delivered to more than 80,000 homes. The magazine’s parent company, RPI Media, also distributes other publications like the comprehensive ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide and sponsors the company’s signature ideal-LIVING Real Estate Shows each year. For more information, go to the website at www.ideal-LIVING.com.
CONTACT:
Kelly Godbey
Publix at The Crossings at Wildlight opens in Yulee
The grocery store anchors a shopping center developed by Sleiman Enterprises.
by: Monty Zickuhr Managing Editor
Link to article in Jacksonville Daily Record: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/photo-gallery/publix-at-the-crossings-at-wildlight-opens-in-yulee
Publix at The Crossings at Wildlight shopping center opened June 2 in Nassau County.
Sleiman Enterprises and Raydient Places + Properties announced the opening in a news release.
The Crossings at Wildlight is at 76010 William Burgess Blvd. in Yulee, east of Interstate 95 off of Florida 200.
Store hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The pharmacy is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Sleiman Enterprises developed the more than 80,000-square-foot shopping center. Raydient Places + Properties, a subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., is the developer of the Wildlight master-planned community.
“Publix is set to be the foundation for this shopping center creating a vibrant center which will include both needed goods and services for the area along with dining and lifestyle opportunities this community desires,” Sleiman Enterprises Chief Operating Officer Michael McNaughton said in the release.
He said the company soon will announce additional tenants.
“We enjoyed working with Publix, Raydient Places + Properties, and the Wildlight team.” Sleiman Enterprises President Toney Sleiman said in the release.
“We look forward to developing more properties together in the future.”
The Crossings at Wildlight sits on just under 17 acres. The site includes three multitenant retail buildings, two single- or multitenant buildings and up to three outparcels. Construction began in July 2021.
Grumpy’s Restaurant says on its website it will open there in mid-2022.
Sleiman said more than 10,000 residential units are planned within 3 miles of the shopping center.
It is the second Publix in Yulee. The chain has a store about 6 miles west in the Villages of Amelia shopping center.
The company says it operates 1,297 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
“The much-anticipated opening of this exceptional store with quality products and legendary customer service is an amazing addition to Wildlight’s overall commercial offerings,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight, in the release.
The Hamlet at Wildlight, a 250-unit single family rental community, is coming soon to Wildlight. The Hamlet at Wildlight will include cottages, townhomes and duplexes.
Read more about it here: https://www.citybiz.co/article/251950/middleburg-communities-starts-construction-on-250-unit-single-family-rental-community-near-jacksonville-fl/
WILDLIGHT, FLA. (July 15, 2021) – Wildlight’s two newest and highly anticipated restaurant and retail concepts – Añejo Mexicana Cocina and The Decantery – are opening its doors this July following additional months of preparation and staff training. The two establishments will join the cohesive mix of hospitality and lifestyle services at Wildlight’s Village Center.
Opening July 19, Añejo Cocina Mexicana will be the first restaurant at Wildlight’s Village Center with a full-service model that provides guests with a table service dining experience. Añejo at Wildlight, the third of its kind following the Brooklyn and Ponte Vedra locations, is a family-owned restaurant that occupies 3, 700 sq. ft. accommodating 180 guests indoor and 54 guests for its outdoor area, which includes an open-air bar and covered patio.
“Being able to share the Mexican culture and heritage through food while providing exceptional service is our specialty. The staff has worked hard to prepare for this opening and we are all thrilled to begin welcoming guests,” said Blanca Valencia, owner of Añejo Cocina Mexicana. “Guests of the new location will enjoy the upbeat ambiance, design, comfortable outdoor seating, and authentic food that many know and love from our existing Añejo locations.”
Añejo’s large menu offerings range from el hefe tacos, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, and fajtas to desserts such as churros, tres leches, and fried ice cream. Each dish is crafted using fresh, made-from-scratch ingredients for authenticity and quality. Guests can choose from the fourteen margarita options listed on Añejo’s bar menu, which also includes mojitos, mules, beer, and wine.
Phase one of The Decantery is set to open on July 16, which will be its package retail store bringing a large and widely ranged selection of premium wine, beer, and spirits to meet guest preferences, and offer highly requested and favorited products. To elevate and ease the decision-making experience, The Decantery will offer guests product samples before making a purchase, allowing the store to rotate between 70 to 80 open bottles of liquor for tasting.
“With the success of our Fernandina Beach location, we’re excited to bring The Decantery to Wildlight and the Nassau County community,” said Phelipe Goncalves, retail store manager of The Decantery. “The store will be an ideal spot for all adult beverage needs, featuring staple products and brands as well as niche ones.”
Like the one enjoyed by many at its original location in Fernandina Beach, The Decantery at Wildlight will also feature a state-of-the-art wine dispensary that showcases eight varietals of rotating wines. Guests have the opportunity to sign-up for a wine loyalty card that tracks and maintains personal wine preferences, favorites, and previous purchases. Cardholders are able to load with their desired amount, insert the card into the dispensary, select a wine and pour amount, and sip while shopping.
“The Decantery and Añejo offer well-recognized hospitality and guest experiences, both establishments are excellent additions in building Wildlight’s growing community and lifestyle,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight.
Añejo is located at 40 Homegrown Way and The Decantery is located at 20 Homegrown Way in Yulee, Florida. Phase two of The Decantery’s opening will include a craft cocktail bar and lounge expected to open November 2021. The two new establishments join Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Great Clips, Cold Stone Creamery, Firehouse Subs, and Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries in Wildlight’s Village Center constructed by Skinner Bros. Realty.
About Wildlight
Wildlight is envisioned as a new town inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living that we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where play is a part of every day and the natural world is a natural part of life. The plan for Wildlight includes a mix of homes, townhomes
and rental apartments together with shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of trails and pathways intended to make it healthy and walkable and connect it all together. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes across about 260 acres plus nearly 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight will offer comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living 20 miles north of Jacksonville, just east of Interstate 95 on A1A, with easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being created by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information, please visit www.wildlight.com.
About The Decantery
The Decantery, located in historic downtown Fernandina Beach is the island’s premier wine, craft beer and cocktail lounge. In addition to an exceptional, rare and unique wine selection, The Decantery offers delectable homemade desserts and accoutrements. Our state-of-the-art wine dispensing machines paired with an inviting and comfortable ambiance gives guests a unique imbibing experience. All wines can be enjoyed in our lounge or are available for package or purchase.
About Añejo Cocina Mexicana
Our main goal at Añejo Cocina Mexicana is to provide customers with the best Añejo dining experience. This is possible with the help of our highly trained staff and friendly atmosphere. We want all our customers to leave our restaurant with a big smile, knowing that Añejo will be waiting to provide them with the best time.
PulteGroup to Join Riverside Homes in Phase Two Build-Out
WILDLIGHT, Fla. – June 16, 2021 – Raydient Places + Properties announced today that PulteGroup, the nation’s third largest homebuilder, has been selected as the newest homebuilder for Wildlight. PulteGroup will bring 85 single-family homes to phase two of Forest Park, joining Mattamy Homes and Riverside Homes. In addition, Riverside Homes will expand its current offerings in Forest Park by building over 40 additional homes in Wildlight’s second neighborhood.
“With PulteGroup’s notable success in the Northeast Florida community, we are delighted in welcoming them on board to Wildlight,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight. “Additionally, Riverside Homes has been an exceptional partner and we are looking forward to both homebuilders expanding phase two of Forest Park.”
Earlier this year, PulteGroup announced it will be building a Del Webb active adult community in Wildlight slated to open early 2022. The gated luxe neighborhood will offer well-designed floor plans with active and resort-style amenities for exploration and recreation spanning approximately six acres. Exclusively for adults 55 and older, residents will enjoy Del Webb at Wildlight’s amenities including a 12,000-square-foot amenity center, a resort-style and lap pool, tennis and pickleball courts, 10 miles of walking trails, and a dog park, to name a few.
“Based on the significant growth in Nassau County and the tremendous success of Wildlight, we expect strong home buyer interest for our newest offering at Wildlight,” said Tony Nason, vice president of operations at PulteGroup’s North Florida Division. “Wildlight is a wonderful community for families of all ages to live with beautiful homesites, exceptional amenities and convenient access to excellent schools, employment centers, entertainment and outdoor recreation.”
Pulte Homes in phase two of Wildlight’s Forest Park will embody Wildlight’s overall Florida Lowcountry and coastal aesthetic. Each of the consumer-inspired homes will showcase design characteristics such as flexible indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, Smart Home technology, innovative work and study from home options and interactive design tools to create a personalized home layout. Featuring one and two-story floor plans with up to five bedrooms and four baths and ranging in size from approximately 1,700 to 3,200+ square feet. Pulte Homes will start in the low $300s, equipped with sustainable and energy-efficient systems.
Locally owned, Riverside Homes was founded by visionaries Chris Wood and Matt Roberts who have a combined two decades of experience in the Jacksonville market. Riverside Homes will continue to offer their thoughtfully designed floor plans ranging from approximately 2,500 to 3,700 square feet on larger manor home lots, offering desirable preserve and lake views. Home designs will highlight the spirit of the original Florida and the surrounding lush landscape through features such as high ceilings, sweeping front porches, expansive lanais, and large windows. The Riverside Homes prices will range from the $500s.
“With the success of our homesites in the first phase of Forest Park, we are excited to continue our partnership with Wildlight by offering many of the same popular floor plans, including our award-winning Ortega plan,” shared Chris Wood, principal of Riverside Homes.
Riverside Homes is expected to begin construction of new homes in fall 2021. PulteGroup is expected to begin construction on model homes in August with plans to open for sales by fall 2021.
About Wildlight
Wildlight is envisioned as a new town inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living that we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where play is a part of every day and the natural world is a natural part of life. The plan for Wildlight includes a mix of homes, townhomes
and rental apartments together with shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of trails and pathways intended to make it healthy and walkable and connect it all together. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes across about 260 acres plus nearly 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight will offer comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living 20 miles north of Jacksonville, just east of Interstate 95 on A1A, with easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being created by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information, please visit www.wildlight.com.
About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in more than 40 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup’s purpose is building incredible places where people can live their dreams. For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, visit pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com; www.divosta.com; www.jwhomes.com; and www.americanwesthomes.com.
About Riverside Homes
Riverside Homes, the official builder of the Southern Living Idea House on Crane Island, is a locally owned homebuilder that is committed to providing exceptional value, quality and innovative designs that homeowners are looking for. As an award-winning homebuilder, Riverside Homes was recently selected as one of Jacksonville Magazine‘s Companies with Heart, named a winner in Jacksonville Magazine’s 2021 The Best of Homes, Gardens and Real Estate Readers Poll, and the recipient of many other awards and accolades. Riverside Homes is currently building in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, St. Johns and Fleming Island. For more information about Riverside Homes, call 904-530-4720 or visit www.myriversidehome.com.
WILDLIGHT, Fla. – March 3, 2021 – Three new restaurant and retail concepts are set to open in Skinner Bros. Realty’s multi-tenant retail complex in Wildlight this spring. The three new tenants join a cohesive mix of hospitality and lifestyle services at Wildlight’s Village Center.
“We are excited to continue the momentum at Wildlight by welcoming three well-known establishments to this growing community’s Village Center,” said Chet Skinner, vice president of Skinner Bros. Realty. “The goal of our commercial projects has always been to strengthen Wildlight’s appeal by providing a place for residents and community members to gather together.”
First, Firehouse Subs, founded locally in Jacksonville, Florida, more than 25 years ago, is in the final build-out stages of opening its new restaurant at Wildlight. The corporate-owned location will occupy 2,100 sq. ft. of space in Skinner Bros. Realty’s second retail building and is tentatively set to open March 2021. Consistently ranked one of America’s Favorite Sandwich Chains, Firehouse Subs serves premium meats and cheeses steamed and piled high on a toasted sub roll, served “Fully Involved ®” with fresh produce and condiments.
“We are looking forward to opening up our doors to the up-and-coming Wildlight community and welcoming new and returning guests in Wildlight,” said Kristen Akel, Firehouse Subs Director of Real Estate Services. “The restaurant will feature the brand’s Restaurant of the Future design with enhancements made to provide a better Firehouse Subs experience for guests and employees, such as a new back-of-the-house design, a large outdoor seating area covered with ceiling fans in addition to elements and decor that prominently display how our brand gives back to the community.”
Next, The Decantery, a Historic Fernandina Beach favorite, will be opening a second location in the former AT&T building at Wildlight through a multi-phase approach beginning April 2021. During the initial phase, The Decantery will be opening a package retail store that will allow guests an opportunity to purchase packaged products from our large selection of premium wine and spirits. The second phase, estimated to open in September 2021, will incorporate the Decantery’s premier wine, craft beer, and cocktail lounge.
“Through an inviting and comfortable ambiance, the Decantery offers guests a unique imbibing experience to enjoy a specialty handcrafted cocktail, wine by the glass from our state-of-the-art wine machine, or a bottle of wine to share from our exceptional and unique wine selection, along with our signature homemade desserts and accoutrements,” Wes Sheffield President/CEO Amelia Island Hospitality Group.” With the success of our first location in Fernandina Beach, we knew we wanted to expand this concept in Northeast Florida. We are thrilled to bring a second Decantery to Wildlight residents and the greater community.”
Finally, family-owned restaurant Añejo Cocina Mexicana will bring fresh, from-scratch dishes and an upbeat atmosphere to the area, expanding from its current Ponte Vedra Beach location and new planned location in the Brooklyn neighborhood near downtown Jacksonville. Anejo Cocina Mexicana will occupy 3,700 sq. ft. with an open-air, outdoor bar and covered patio and is set to open in May.
Skinner Bros. Realty began construction on the commercial complex located at 40 Homegrown Way in early 2020 and finished development in September 2020. The new mixed-use building is an extension of The Village Center’s first multi-tenant complex that opened early 2019, adding 11,670 square feet of additional retail and restaurant space. These new establishments join Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Great Clip’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries.
“We are very pleased to continue working with Skinner Bros. Realty on the expansion of Wildlight’s Village Center,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “Skinner Bros. Realty’s vast experience and success in developing and managing retail projects of this kind have helped shape the Wildlight experience for our residents and the community at large. We look forward to welcoming all residents and visitors to these new establishments this spring.”
WILDLIGHT, Fla. – Feb. 24, 2021 – Raydient Places + Properties today announced Sleiman Enterprises, one of Florida’s premier retail development companies, will develop a Publix grocery store at the new Crossings at Wildlight shopping center in Wildlight. Publix will anchor the centrally located retail center and serve as the first grocery store in the community.
“At the heart of our leasing strategy is to provide our communities with necessary and high-quality goods and services,” said Michael McNaughton, Chief Operating Officer. “Grocery anchored neighborhood retail is the cornerstone to healthy vibrant communities and so important to sustain and, ultimately, strengthen them. We know our shoppers will be as excited as we are when Publix opens at Crossings at Wildlight. We’re equally excited Publix will serve as a catalyst for future growth and infrastructure in the area creating a center that will incorporate both the needed goods and services for the area coupled with dining and other lifestyle opportunities to enhance the fantastic Wildlight community.”
The Crossings at Wildlight shopping center sits at the corner of FL-200 (AIA) and William Burgess Boulevard in Yulee. The Crossings development encompasses nearly 90,000 square feet on just under 17 acres. The site will also include three multi-tenant retail buildings, two single or multi-tenant buildings and up to three outparcels. Construction is expected to begin by March 1st with completion planned for Spring 2022.
“We are excited to announce our newest Publix location in Nassau County located in the Crossings at Wildlight shopping center in Yulee, Florida,” said Chris Norberg, Community Relations Manager for Publix’s Jacksonville Division. “The opening of this new and convenient location will give us the opportunity to continue providing legendary service to our wonderful customers both old and new.”
Wildlight is the new town under development in Nassau County with a rich mixture of businesses and amenities. The new Publix builds on Wildlight’s latest developments including the opening of its second neighborhood, Forest Park, as well as that of UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight Center, which includes a state-of-the-art YMCA. Earlier this year, Wildlight also announced that PulteGroup will be building a Del Webb active adult neighborhood within the community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Publix to Wildlight as the community’s first retail food store,” said Chris Corr, President of Raydient Places + Properties. “Adding an award-winning supermarket with quality products and legendary customer service has been at the top of our priority list. We know the new store and shopping center will greatly serve our residents and the larger community for years to come.”
WILDLIGHT, FL. – Feb. 16, 2021 – Del Webb, the nation’s leading builder of active adult communities for those 55 and older, has announced a new community, Del Webb Wildlight, coming to Nassau County near Amelia Island within the master-planned community of Wildlight.
“We are pleased to welcome Del Webb to Wildlight as the community’s first neighborhood for active adults,” said Wes Hinton, Vice President of Wildlight. “Del Webb’s strong brand recognition for quality design, resort-style amenities and close community connection makes it the ideal fit for Wildlight and our Florida Lowcountry lifestyle. As the gateway to the state of Florida and one of the fastest growing counties in North Florida, Nassau County and Wildlight offer a perfect launching point for this best-in-class active adult builder.”
Located just north of Jacksonville and south of the Georgia line, Del Webb Wildlight will include up to 660 single-family and villa homes. Del Webb will build on 33- to 65-foot-wide homesites and offer 16 consumer inspired floor plans ranging in size from 1,343 to 3,339 square feet. Development is currently underway with models projected to open in early 2022 and new homes starting in the $200s.
“We are excited to partner with Wildlight to expand our Del Webb brand into Nassau County,” said Tony Nason, Vice President of Operations of PulteGroup’s North Florida Division. “With the increasing active adult demand in Northeast Florida, Wildlight’s proximity to Amelia Island’s world class beaches, the Jacksonville International Airport, and the Florida state line makes it the perfect location for our next Del Webb community.”
Del Webb Wildlight residents will enjoy the active-adult lifestyle with approximately six acres of recreational areas that include a 12,000-square-foot amenity center designed for group activities and gatherings, a resort-style and lap pool, tennis and pickleball courts, a dog park and more. Del Webb Wildlight will have more than 10 miles of walking trails winding through the community, linking the neighborhood to other parks, amenities, the YMCA, and neighborhood restaurants in Wildlight.
Wildlight is a master-planned, mixed-use community offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and recreation. Wildlight homes and community amenities are designed using Florida Lowcountry (FLOCO) inspired architecture, with sweeping porches and window transoms to maximize views of the community’s lakes, natural wetlands and wooded areas. Wildlight is a natural gas community and the first Gigabit community in Nassau County, providing the area’s fastest internet. The community is on State Road 200 between I-95 and U.S. Highway 17 in Nassau County, conveniently located 12 miles from Amelia Island and 12 miles from Jacksonville International Airport.
PulteGroup has two additional popular age-restricted Del Webb communities in Northeast Florida. The communities, which offer active-adult living and a variety of amenities, include Del Webb eTown and Del Webb Nocatee. For more information, visit www.delwebb.com.
NASSAU COUNTY, FL – Oct. 2, 2020 — UF Health Jacksonville and the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast cut the ribbon today on a new joint project in the heart of Wildlight in Nassau County, a combination rehabilitation facility and fitness center that will bring the latest innovations in healthy living to a rapidly growing part of Northeast Florida.
UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight has 36,000 square feet of space and offers adult and pediatric rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy and speech language pathology, and a healthy living center. The new facility includes 5,000 square feet of rehabilitation space to provide specialized, one-on-one care, along with a 25,000-square-foot YMCA. Future expansion of the building is expected to add more than 15,000 square feet for specialty rehab services.
“This is a great day for Wildlight and Nassau County because the people who live here can now get the best possible rehabilitation services along with an amazing, state-of-the-art fitness facility, all right here in their community,” said Jeanne Bradshaw, P.T., D.P.T., director of rehabilitative services for UF Health Jacksonville.
This is the second facility UF Health has recently opened in Wildlight. Last December, UF Health Wildlight opened at 76011 William Burgess Blvd. It provides comprehensive health services, advanced medical technology and outstanding care opened in the heart of Nassau County. The medical complex includes family medicine, pediatrics, women’s services, dentistry, an urgent care center and more.
“Residents of Wildlight and the communities around it now have access to the most advanced health care and rehabilitative services possible, all alongside a fantastic YMCA that offers the most complete and innovative fitness resources possible,” said Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D., MHSA, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “When we kicked off this Wildlight collaboration several years ago, this was our vision, and it’s rewarding for all of us to see it come to fruition.”
The new YMCA will include a fitness center, group exercise studios, an indoor running track, a dedicated area for children to explore, play and learn while their parents are working out, and more, including the availability to take part in youth sports leagues and education programs.
“The First Coast YMCA is thrilled to officially open the Wildlight YMCA to the growing Nassau County community and surrounding areas, including St. Marys,” said Eric K. Mann, the president and CEO of YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. “More than a gym, the new Wildlight YMCA will serve as a total wellness destination for the community by combining the YMCA’s tools and resources focused on healthy living with the medical expertise of UF Health. We know this location will provide critical programming to connect families and neighbors together safely for generations to come.”
The new UF and YMCA facility is part of Wildlight’s master-planned community located east of Interstate 95 and A1A. It is the latest step in a strategic collaboration with UF Health, the University of Florida, the YMCA and developer Raydient Places + Properties and offers high-quality health care for residents living in Wildlight and the surrounding communities.
“We are appreciative of our strategic alliance with UF Health, the University of Florida and the YMCA to break the mold of conventional community development with a new national model for healthier master-planned communities,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “The opening of the UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight facility is another testament of our commitment toward healthy living in Wildlight and offers convenient access to the highest quality of health and wellness services across North Jacksonville. It also marks the completion of our dynamic vision that we began working on together three years ago, and we are thrilled for residents and the surrounding community to now enjoy these services that will enhance their well-being.”