Oceanside, North County business groups voice support of Ocean Kamp

Project would be built at old drive-in theater site

An+architect%E2%80%99s+rendering+shows+a+possible+configuration+of+the+Ocean+Kamp+project+in+Oceanside.+%28Courtesy+image%29

An architect’s rendering shows a possible configuration of the Ocean Kamp project in Oceanside. (Courtesy image)

North Coast Current

Oceanside and regional business leaders are collectively endorsing a mixed-use development that would blend housing, parks and tourist attractions, two organizations recently announced.

In their joint news release, the San Diego North Economic Development Council and Oceanside Chamber of Commerce praised the economic benefits of Ocean Kamp, a mixed-use project located located at 3480 Mission Ave. in Oceanside that would include new housing and parks, and a state-of-the-art wave pool and hotels.

The endorsements come as the project is headed to the Oceanside Planning Commission for approval in early March. Ocean Kamp would be set on about 92 acres currently occupied by an old drive-in theater and swap meet site.

Oceanside News logo“We are excited to welcome Ocean Kamp to Oceanside as it will create new jobs, revenue for the City of Oceanside and opportunities for local businesses,” Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Scott Ashton said in the announcement. “Ocean Kamp’s vision will be a complementary extension of all the benefits of living and working in Oceanside. It will also provide needed inclusive housing opportunities, spaces for local businesses to grow as well as tourism and event facilities that will collectively be a long-term economic driver for Oceanside.”

The business groups are eyeing a predicted generation of $81.3 million in tax revenue over 10 years and the creation of more than 1,500 jobs.

“Ocean Kamp will be an exciting destination that embodies the North County lifestyle and creates substantial economic, tourism and community benefits for the entire region” economic council Chief Executive Officer W. Erik Bruvold said in the announcement. “The SDNEDC believes that both the synergies with the region’s active sports, craft brewing and innovation economy cluster and the importance of new housing make Ocean Kamp an ideal addition to the Oceanside community.”

The project’s center focus is a a 4.5-acre wave lagoon available to surfers, swimmers and paddle boarders of varying experience levels to use year-round, project officials and supporters describe. Ocean Kamp will also have an Airstream trailer camping area and a 300-room hotel with private casitas.

The planned community would include about 700 homes of varying types, including deed-restricted affordable housing units, several miles of public trails, 20 acres of open space, a public surfboard shaping space, a mountain bike pump track, and cultural and surf heritage exhibits.

Ocean Kamp would also have 134,000 square feet of commercial space — a mix of offices, retail and restaurants with a focus on locally based tenants.