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- Issue #631: Busch Gardens Plans Major Lion Display, Wesley Chapel Home Depot Nears, Tampa Conference Names Leader, Four Rays Make All-Star Team
Issue #631: Busch Gardens Plans Major Lion Display, Wesley Chapel Home Depot Nears, Tampa Conference Names Leader, Four Rays Make All-Star Team
7/7/2026
Ted Grellner
07 Jul
In partnership with
GOOD MORNING
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.
Local News
— Busch Gardens Building One of America’s Largest Lion Displays
— Wesley Chapel’s First Home Depot Moves Closer to Reality Near Tampa Premium Outlets
Of Interest
— Metro Atlanta Cardiologist Takes National Leadership Role at Major Tampa Medical Conference
Sports
— Four Rays Earn All-Star Honors as Tampa Bay Sends Strong Contingent to Philadelphia
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Busch Gardens Building One of America’s
Largest Lion Displays
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is moving full speed ahead on Lion & Hyena Ridge, a major new attraction scheduled to open later this year in the park’s Edge of Africa area.
The nearly 35,000-square-foot habitat will feature separate lion and hyena environments built around dramatic rock formations, enrichment areas, elevated perches, water features, and climate-controlled resting spots designed to encourage natural behaviors.
The exhibit will become home to five brother lions—Pascal, Lou, Henri, Hugo, and Herman—along with spotted hyenas Cazi and Dazi. Park officials say the design prioritizes animal welfare while providing guests with immersive viewing opportunities.
Visitors can expect glass viewing areas, shaded pathways, and a pedestrian bridge offering approximately 270-degree views of the habitat.
Lion & Hyena Ridge is part of more than $100 million in improvements planned by Busch Gardens’ parent company and is expected to remain a centerpiece attraction for both local visitors and tourists when it debuts later in 2026.
Wesley Chapel’s First Home Depot Moves Closer to Reality Near Tampa Premium Outlets
A proposed Home Depot in Wesley Chapel has taken a major step forward after preliminary plans were filed with Pasco County for a site in Cypress Creek Town Center, directly across from Tampa Premium Outlets.
The project would occupy approximately 11.47 acres on the north side of State Road 56, near Academy Sports + Outdoors and PopStroke. Plans call for a 107,600-square-foot main store, a 28,000-square-foot garden center, and roughly 350 parking spaces.
The development would become Wesley Chapel’s first big-box home improvement store, filling a long-standing gap for residents who currently travel to New Tampa or Zephyrhills for many home improvement needs.
The proposed location sits within one of the area's busiest retail corridors and would further strengthen the growing shopping district surrounding Tampa Premium Outlets.
County review is still in the early stages, and final building details, construction timelines, and an opening date could change as the project moves through permitting and approval processes.
Metro Atlanta Cardiologist Takes National Leadership Role at Major Tampa Medical Conference
A Metro Atlanta cardiologist has stepped into a major national leadership role. Dr. Sreeni Gangasani was unanimously elected Vice President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) during AAPICON 2026, held July 2–5 at the Tampa Convention Center.
The organization represents more than 100,000 physicians, and under AAPI’s leadership succession plan, Gangasani is expected to serve as President-Elect in 2027–28 before assuming the presidency in 2028–29.
The convention drew more than 1,100 physicians, healthcare leaders, and community members from across the country. Several Georgia-based physicians also earned leadership positions, highlighting the state’s growing influence within the organization.
A practicing cardiologist for more than 25 years, Gangasani plans to focus on the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease among South Asians. He is also preparing to open ACG Heart & Vascular in Lawrenceville, a new practice dedicated to preventive and advanced heart care.
Four Rays Earn All-Star Honors as Tampa Bay Sends Strong Contingent to Philadelphia
The Tampa Bay Rays will be well represented at the 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, sending four players to Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park on July 14.
Leading the group is Junior Caminero, who earned a starting spot at third base through fan voting. The rising star will also compete in the Home Run Derby on July 13, marking his second straight appearance after finishing runner-up in 2025.
Joining Caminero are first baseman Yandy Díaz, selected as a reserve through player voting, and pitchers Drew Rasmussen and Bryan Baker, both chosen for the American League pitching staff.
The selection marks Baker's first career All-Star appearance, while Caminero, Díaz and Rasmussen are each earning their second trip to the Midsummer Classic.
The four selections highlight Tampa Bay's continued success and depth as the Rays remain among the American League's strongest contenders heading into the second half of the season.
Tampa Bay Area Best Live Music Events this week | Things to Do in Tampa Bay this W/E | TB Weekend Entertainment Guide |
|---|---|---|
June 25- July 9 | June 19-21 | May |
Source: cltampa.com | Source: |
Tampa Bay’s Best Things to do this week of July 4 | |
|
Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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