IMG Academy opening hotel for school visitors

BRADENTON (FOX 13) - The newest addition to the IMG Academy in Bradenton is a five-story hotel.

The Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy will serve parents, amateur athletes, professional athletes, or other show have an association with IMG and would usually stay elsewhere. 

“IMG is all about excellence in everything that they do, whether that's academically or athletic. Our team at Legacy Hotel, we want to evoke the same thing,” said General Manager Geoff Gaumer.

IMG says finishing touches are currently being added the 150-room hotel, which will be open to the public.

“We look at this as an opportunity for those people to get a taste for everything that is IMG Academy,” Gaumer said.

IMG has been called a one-stop shop for Division 1 athletic prospects. It is also a workout destination for pro athletes.   

“We are going to continue to expand in other areas," said Managing Director Chip McCarthy. "We've recently purchased an additional 91 acres."

He did not expand on the plans for those 91 acres. The hotel is set to open on October 11.