Feb. 09–A Canadian developer plans to build a $4 billion lunar theme resort in the city of Coachella.
Moon USA will "fulfill the obvious void within the resort destination space where square-box mediocrity and repetitious offerings have become the norm," according to a news release from Moon World Resorts.
Opening is projected for 2022, following a 24-month permitting process and 48 months of construction. Planners expect it to require 3,000 construction works and, when complete, to create 8,000 jobs.
The news release says the property will have such features as:
* A 10 acre lunar surface with a "fully functional and totally realistic lunar colony set within the world's largest and tallest sphere" (750 feet).
* A 4,000 suite internationally branded hotel.
* A 10,000 seat flexible event center.
* A 2 million square feet convention center.
* A university affiliated science and technology campus.
* Star chef restaurants with local produce.
* Health spa and beach club.
Coachella, which calls itself "City of Eternal Sunshine — Gateway to the Salton Sea," is a low density city on the eastern end of the Coachella Valley, primarily known for agriculture. Most of the valley's big resorts are in cities such as Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells.
But Indio, which borders Coachella, is a tourist destination known as the "City of Festivals." Among the annual events it hosts is the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, which opens Feb. 12.
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