Oxnard Council Accepts Spaceport Progress Report

A progress report on a proposed Pacific Spaceport amusement park planned for Ormand Beach in Oxnard has been accepted by the City Council, which also agreed to continue negotiations with the SRE Development Corp. of Los Angeles.

SRE paid the city $100,000 for exclusive negotiating rights for the 300 acres of land needed for the project.

The city’s redevelopment administrator, Dennis Matthews, said thatSRE has completed some of the city’s requirements and will soon meet the rest, including a report on cost and revenue projections for each part of the project and proof that SRE has $15 million worth of financing.

John Hagen, SRE president, told the council that a hotel operator will be named in May, and that a bond issue to finance a portion of the project is being prepared.

SRE is negotiating to enter into a joint venture development agreement with the Paragon Group, one of the nation’s 12th largest privately held development company, Hagen said.

The plan is to build a 200-room space resort, with simulated “cruises” in outer space. Focus of the resort is a simulated space shuttle, with booster rockets mounted on a “launch pad.” Tourists will be able to book passage on the space cruise, and experience the sensation of space travel. They will be able to participate in simulated launching and orbital exercises, Hagen said.

An underwater chamber will provide the environment for the simulated space walk.

Included in the project is a planned 400-room seaside hotel with tennis courts, a golf course and an educational museum featuring exhibits of United States space programs.

John Spencer, vice-president of the corporation, is the creator of the plan.