The Desert Sun (Barkas) 2020-02-251
Nichole Romane
From:Jon McMillen
Sent:Tuesday, February 25, 2020 2:52 PM
To:Barkas, Sherry; Cheri Flores; Danny Castro; Marcie Graham
Cc:Teresa Thompson
Subject:Re: Kelly Slater, Michael Schwab + Meriwether Co. NEW Resort Community
Yes City has been approached and I will defer to Cheri and Danny for an update of where in the process it is.
Regards
Jon McMillen | City Manager
City of La Quinta
78495 Calle Tampico ◦ La Quinta, CA 92253
Ph. 760.777.7030
jmcmillen@laquintaca.gov
www.laquintaca.gov
From: "Barkas, Sherry" <sbarkas@gannett.com>
Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 2:26 PM
To: Jon McMillen <jmcmillen@laquintaca.gov>, Cheri Flores <clflores@laquintaca.gov>, Danny Castro
<dcastro@laquintaca.gov>, Marcie Graham <mgraham@laquintaca.gov>
Subject: FW: Kelly Slater, Michael Schwab + Meriwether Co. NEW Resort Community
** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening
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Hi,
I received this earlier today and wondered if the city has been approached by this group and this Coral Mountain
project?
How far along is it in the planning process?
Thank you.
Sherry Barkas
Reporter
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
Mobile: 760.641.1290
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Office: 760.778.4694
sherry.barkas@desertsun.com
desertsun.com
From: Rachel Esserman Maher <rachel@rempublicrelations.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2020 7:43 AM
To: Barkas, Sherry <sbarkas@gannett.com>
Subject: Kelly Slater, Michael Schwab + Meriwether Co. NEW Resort Community
Hi Sherry,
I have an EXCITING announcement regarding news of the groundbreaking Coral Mountain sports and wellness resort
community coming to La Quinta featuring cutting edge technology from Kelly Slater Wave Co. The resort is a
collaboration from Meriwether Companies, Michael Schwab, Kelly Slater and the WSL that will include the largest,
rideable open‐barrel, human‐made wave in the world. Will you please see additional info below and let me know if
you’re interested in speaking to the team from Meriwether? We’ll be announcing this news over the wire this week.
Best,
Rachel
MERIWETHER COMPANIES AND BIG SKY WAVE DEVELOPMENTS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR GROUNDBREAKING SPORTS
AND WELLNESS COMMUNITY IN LA QUINTA FEATURING TECHNOLOGY FROM KELLY SLATER WAVE COMPANY
Developer to Open Innovative Resort Community with Hotel, Ownership Opportunities and Array of Exclusive Amenities
Anchored by a Best‐in‐Class Wave System
BOULDER, COLO. (February 26) – Meriwether Companies, a private real estate investment and development firm, and Big
Sky Wave Developments, founded and directed by Michael B. Schwab, announce plans for Coral Mountain, a masterplan
resort community in the Coachella Valley. Coral Mountain will be the first of its kind and will include world‐renowned
wave technology from Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC), a division of the World Surf League (WSL). Plans for the
groundbreaking development include a full‐service resort, residential homes, a private club, multiple dining venues,
adventure sport offerings, and progression‐based training for the mind, body and soul, all anchored by the extraordinary
KSWC wave technology.
The dramatic 400‐acre site in La Quinta, California is set at the base of Coral Mountain and fully encircled by expansive
views of the serene desert landscape. The ethos of this community revolves around the raw natural setting with a focus
on sustainability.
The mission of Coral Mountain is to attract, and invest in, inspirational people, engage great creators, build innovative
facilities and amenities, as well as commit to educate and grow an ever‐evolving sports and wellness community. Access
to the amenities at Coral Mountain, including the KSWC wave system, will be exclusively available to homeowners, hotel
patrons, members and their guests, and dining available to the public through reservations.
“We are excited to bring to life an unprecedented vision for an experiential resort development, curated for today’s active
and engaged consumer here in Southern California and beyond,” said Noah Hahn, Partner, Meriwether Companies. “Kelly
Slater and the WSL are industry legends, and the perfect partners to feature as we create a revolutionary new way to live
and travel.”
The land, previously approved for 750 homes and an 18‐hole golf course, is now owned by Meriwether Companies and
Big Sky Wave Developments and is currently in the design and amended approval process. The current proposal maintains
the same density as previously approved, while removing the golf course in place of the wave basin and other amenities,
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which will require significantly less water. Construction is expected to begin in Q1 2021 with the launch of real estate sales
following soon after.
Kelly Slater is widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all time and KSWC combines cutting edge science,
engineering, and design to create the largest, rideable open‐barrel, human‐made wave in the world. The wave, coupled
with purpose‐built coaching and safety, provides the ultimate environment for surfing progression, competition, and pure
enjoyment. In addition to powering elite events, KSWC technology produces waveforms for all levels of ability and
preferences.
“I originally invested with Kelly in 2013 for my own personal surfing progression,” said Michael B. Schwab, Managing
Director, Big Sky Wave Developments. “I had no idea the impact it would have on my life, and I realized immediately that
I had to share this opportunity. I’ve had everyone from my 4‐year‐old niece to my 82‐year‐old father at Surf Ranch in
Central California, watching them grow as people through this indescribable surfing experience.”
Meriwether Companies currently has existing roots in the desert area. They own the iconic Ingleside Inn and Melvyn’s
Restaurant in Palm Springs and have worked on multiple residential developments in Rancho Mirage.
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About Meriwether Companies
Founded in 2013, Meriwether is a private real estate investment and development firm focused on resort master plan,
hospitality, and commercial development. The firm’s portfolio of master plan projects includes Coral Mountain in La
Quinta, California, and previous work in Park City, Utah; Fredericksburg, Texas; Big Sky, Montana, and Eagle, Colorado.
Meriwether’s hospitality assets include Griffin Club (Private Club: Los Angeles), The Hideaway, and The Getaway (Boutique
Hotels: Carmel‐by‐the‐Sea, California), and Parlor Oklahoma City and Parlor Kansas City (Food Halls). The company is
actively developing residential projects in Rancho Mirage, California, Telluride, Colorado, and Breckenridge, Colorado. The
managing partners of Meriwether include Graham Culp, Noah Hahn, and Garrett Simon. For more information on
Meriwether and its principals, please visit www.meriwetherco.com.
About Big Sky Wave Developments
Big Sky Wave Developments was founded by Michael B. Schwab in 2016 to develop exclusive wave zone resorts
surrounding wave basins and natural surf breaks in untapped areas around the globe. Mr. Schwab had been an active and
engaged investment professional with nearly two decades of experience investing in, and mentoring, early stage
companies through every stage of company growth and technology/product development. Mr. Schwab has remained
disciplined in his investment approach across all portfolio company investments, highlighting the primary focus on people
first. Mr. Schwab sits on the board of directors at TAE Technologies and serves as partner at Emergent Capital Partners,
as well as venture partner with Greenhouse Capital Partners.
About Kelly Slater Wave Company
Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC), a division of the World Surf League (WSL), is an innovative wave technology and
experience company. KSWC is the first company to develop a formula that combines cutting‐edge science, engineering
and design to create the largest, high‐performance, human‐made wave in existence as envisioned by 11‐time World
Champion Kelly Slater.
About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL), established in 1976, is the enablement platform for surfing and surfers worldwide. The WSL
is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences,
and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.
The WSL is a global organization, headquartered in Santa Monica and with regional offices in North America, Latin America,
Asia Pacific, and EMEA. The WSL possesses a deep appreciation for the sport's rich heritage while promoting progression,
innovation, and performance at the highest levels.
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The WSL is comprised of Tours & Events, celebrating the world’s best surfers across all disciplines and annually running
more than 180 global contests and crowning the undisputed World Champions across all divisions; Kelly Slater Wave
Company, where innovation meets experience; and WSL Studios, which offers best in class storytelling across competition,
lifestyle, and conservation.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Rachel Esserman Maher
REM Public Relations
Rachel@rempublicrelations.com
310‐497‐6856