- NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
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- Issue #636: Third Hospital Opens In Wesley Chapel, Operation Southern Slow Down Starts, Kumba Shuts Down Aug. 2, Shark Convention Swims In
Issue #636: Third Hospital Opens In Wesley Chapel, Operation Southern Slow Down Starts, Kumba Shuts Down Aug. 2, Shark Convention Swims In
7/15/2026
Ted Grellner
15 Jul
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.) - Out of Order
Local News
— Wesley Chapel’s Third Major Hospital Opens as Healthcare Boom Accelerates
— Operation Southern Slow Down Brings Increased Enforcement to I-75 and SR 54OMG
OMG!
— Kumba’s Final Ride: Tampa’s Legendary Coaster Closing August 2
— America’s Largest Shark Convention Swims Into Tampa This Weekend
Wesley Chapel’s Third Major Hospital Opens as Healthcare Boom Accelerates
Wesley Chapel’s emergence as one of Florida’s fastest-growing communities is fueling a major healthcare expansion. Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital, a new five-story, 102-bed facility, officially opened this week, becoming the community’s third major hospital.
The hospital is part of a $750 million, 47-acre medical campus that will eventually expand to 300 beds. Orlando Health also plans to add two additional medical buildings and an off-site emergency department by 2028.
The new hospital features 29 emergency exam rooms, 12 intensive care beds, nine operating rooms, advanced imaging technology, specialized labs, and more than 400 employees. Construction is already underway on new medical office buildings, including a dedicated women’s center.
The opening further strengthens Wesley Chapel’s growing healthcare corridor alongside AdventHealth and BayCare, with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital scheduled to open a major pediatric campus nearby in 2027. As Pasco County’s population continues to surge, healthcare providers are racing to meet future demand.
Operation Southern Slow Down Brings Increased Enforcement to I-75 and SR 54
Pasco County drivers should expect increased speed enforcement through July 18 as Florida participates in Operation Southern Slow Down, a five-state effort targeting speeding and aggressive driving.
Law enforcement officers will focus on major roadways including Interstate 75, U.S. 19, State Road 54, and State Road 52, areas heavily traveled by commuters and summer vacationers.
The campaign is timed to coincide with the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” a period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities, particularly involving teen drivers, tend to increase. Summer storms and heavier traffic can make local roads even more dangerous.
Officials emphasize the crackdown is more than a warning. During last year’s operation, more than 7,000 speeding tickets were issued statewide.
Drivers should also remember Florida’s Super Speeder Law, which imposes tougher penalties on motorists traveling more than 100 mph or 50 mph above the speed limit. Authorities urge drivers to slow down, buckle up, and allow extra stopping distance on wet roads.
Kumba’s Final Ride: Tampa’s Legendary Coaster Closing August 2
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is preparing to retire one of its most iconic attractions. Kumba, the park’s oldest operating roller coaster, will close on August 2 after thrilling guests for 33 years.
Since opening in 1993, Kumba has become a favorite among coaster enthusiasts, known for its towering drops, powerful loops, and signature roar. The closure is part of Busch Gardens’ broader $100 million investment aimed at enhancing and transforming the park experience.
Fans still have time for one final ride, with annual pass members receiving exclusive ride time on August 1 before the coaster officially closes.
But Busch Gardens says this is not the end of Kumba’s story. The park has announced plans for “Kumba’s Revenge,” a next-generation attraction designed to honor the original while delivering an entirely new thrill experience.
For Tampa Bay coaster fans, it’s the end of a legendary chapter—and the beginning of a new one.
America’s Largest Shark Convention Swims Into Tampa This Weekend
Tampa is about to become the center of the shark world as SharkCon 12, the nation’s largest shark-themed convention, arrives at the Florida State Fairgrounds on July 18-19.
The two-day event brings together marine scientists, conservation experts, celebrities, and shark enthusiasts for a weekend packed with exhibits, presentations, and hands-on experiences. More than 100 vendors will offer shark-themed art, jewelry, clothing, collectibles, and diving-related products.
Popular attractions include a 45-foot inflatable megalodon, a mechanical shark ride, and the famous “Jaws” car. Guests can also hear from representatives connected to National Geographic, Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, and marine conservation organizations.
Celebrity appearances include Mario Van Peebles, known for Jaws: The Revenge, along with Baywatch actor David Chokachi and Sharknado director Anthony C. Ferrante.
Tickets start at $9.38, making it an affordable family-friendly adventure for shark fans of all ages.
Top Events in Tampa Bay this week of: | Things to Do in Tampa Bay this W/E | TB Weekend Entertainment Guide |
|---|---|---|
July 13 | July 10-12 | May |
Source: tampabay.com | Source: tampabay28.com | Source: |
Tampa Bay’s Best Things to do this week of July | |
|
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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