whats new in myrtle beach

CCU Plans to Build Multi-Million Dollar Football Complex

Coastal Carolina’s Board of Trustees recently approved the erection of a new multi-million dollar football complex.

The proposed facility would be located across from University Boulevard near Brooks Stadium.

According to Chief Financial Officer David Frost, these plans have been a longtime coming saying “Moving University Boulevard to the other side has been in the works … been on the master plan for a long time.”

The purpose of the facility would be to house an indoor practice facility for the Coastal Carolina University football team. The 78,000 square-foot facility is expected to cost around $15 million to erect but would be fully funded by donors.

The vote took place on May 6th – however, the Coastal Educational Fund must approve the proposed facility before construction can begin.

In addition to the proposed football facility, the university’s Board of Trustees also voted to put $300,000 in CARES Act funds towards helping students get the COVID-19 vaccine, while still maintaining the cost of tuition and room and board.

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20-Year Plan Will Significantly Expand Myrtle Beach International Airport

If the current rate of passengers coming through Myrtle Beach International Airport continues at the same pace, the airport will not be able to sustain the influx. A 20-year plan is being created to try to keep up with the growing number of passengers.

Scott Van Moppes, Horry County Director of Airports, said that “two years from now, according to the forecast, we’re going to be undersized for the number of people traveling through the airport.”

Two proposals have been enacted to increase the size of the airport – one would increase the number of gates to 23 and one would increase the number of gates to 25. In addition to gate space, the proposals also call for more parking and an increase in the number of international flights.

Officials are also discussing the possibility of adding space for a shipping distribution center for companies like FedEx and Amazon.

It is expected that a finalized plan will be presented to the Federal Aviation Administration by the end of 2021.

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Funplex Amusement Park Opening Soon – Here’s What to Expect

The new Funplex amusement park is gearing up for a Spring 2021 opening.

Funplex, a New Jersey-based amusement park, is basing their Myrtle Beach park on what used to be a 100-space parking lot located at 1405 Ocean Boulevard.

The outdoor amusement park will feature 7 different attractions including Sunny Day Swing, Hang 10 Silly Cups, Hook & Slice, Mach Fun, Up & Overboard and Sky Velocity. One of the most intriguing rides is the Fun in the Sun, a rollercoaster that resembles a human hamster wheel.

In addition to the rides and rollercoasters, there will also be a restaurant and bar on site for patrons to enjoy.

Brain Williams, CEO of Funplex, is for locals and tourists to experience the magic of Funplex. In an interview with Coaster101, Williams said “with the level of attractions and the way we will operate the park, I am confident that once a guest comes to the Funplex they will create new traditions with us in their plans each year.”

Funplex is just one of the many attractions coming to the Grand Strand this year.

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Celebrate Brookgreen Gardens 90th Anniversary at Their New Gallery

On February 27th, Brookgreen Gardens celebrated their 90th anniversary. In an effort to celebrate this special milestone, the Brenda and Dick Rosen Galleries was created.

The Brenda and Dick Rosen Galleries is a new indoor exhibit area located at Brookgreen Gardens. It will feature both permanent and interchangeable exhibits, giving guests something new to look forward to during their next visit to the gardens.

“Wild World: 200 Years of Nature in Art” will be the first exhibit to be housed within the new space. The exhibit will feature a variety of artwork from 19th, 20th and 21st century artists. According to their website, the exhibit will include “paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, and historic objects reflecting the world of wild and domestic animals, native plants, and the history of the Brookgreen property.”

Page Kiniry, president and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens, said she is “thrilled to present this new space that will allow us to exhibit even more significant collections of sculpture and other art mediums.”

Visitors can catch a glimpse at the “Wild World: 200 Years of Nature in Art” exhibit through May 23 and admission is included in the general garden admission tickets.

Eat & Drink

Popular Milkshake Bar Opening Second Location in the Grand Strand

The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar is opening another location in the Myrtle Beach area. The new spot will be located in North Myrtle Beach and will continue to offer crazy delicious milkshakes for patrons to delight in.

The flagship shop first opened in 2020 at The Market Common and has since become a hotspot in the area. While the exact location of the new shop has yet to be announced, it is expected to open in the spring of 2021.

The Crazy Mason, a locally owned small business, has an extensive menu – offering 23 specialty milkshakes, as well as seasonal favorites. One of the crowd pleasers is their “Dashing Through the Dough” milkshake, a mouth-watering concoction of “Cookie Dough ice cream blended, poured into a mason jar with a chocolate frosted rim rolled in crushed cookies. On top sits whip cream, a scoop of edible cookie dough, cookie dough pieces, chocolate chips and finished with chocolate drizzle.”

In addition to extravagant milkshakes, patrons can also enjoy just the ice creams themselves. Scooped ice creams are available for anyone who isn’t a fan of milkshakes or just can’t commit to the food coma that will inevitably commence.

Be sure to follow The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar for updates on their new location!

Photo provided by The Crazy Mason.

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New Nonstop Flights Coming to Myrtle Beach in April

Flying is about to get a little less cumbersome for some travelers with the addition of two new nonstop flights at Myrtle Beach International Airport.

Delta Airlines recently announced they are adding a daily nonstop flight to the Grand Strand area. Beginning April 12th, travelers will now be able to fly nonstop from Myrtle Beach International Airport to Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

According to Scott Van Moppes, director of airports, the nonstop flight is a great addition to the Myrtle Beach area. In a statement on the new addition, Scott Van Moppes said, “Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is a global hub for Delta Airlines, and will provide passengers from the Grand Strand even more convenient options for traveling to Minneapolis/St. Paul, destinations across the United States and internationally. Delta has been an integral partner of the Myrtle Beach International Airport and our local community and we thank them for their continued support.”

Spirit Airlines also recently announced the addition of a nonstop flight from Myrtle Beach International Airport to Akron-Canton Airport in Ohio. The nonstop airline service will begin on April 15th but will only occur on Thursdays and Sundays.

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Court Ruling Issued on Disputed Sale of Campground Land

Myrtle Beach can now move forward with the sale of two popular campground sites.

A South Carolina Circuit Court judge recently issued a ruling on the sale of two areas of beachfront land, rejecting Horry County’s efforts to prevent the land from being sold.

The areas in question, Lakewood and Pirateland campgrounds, are currently owned by the City of Myrtle Beach. However, Horry County receives a portion of the campground’s revenue – part of the reason why Horry County attempted to sue the city to prevent them from selling the property.

South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Culbertson rejected the county’s push to halt the sale, allowing the City of Myrtle Beach to proceed with the $60 million transaction. In Culbertson’s ruling, he wrote, “This case is not about property. The county does not access, use, or possess the Seascape Properties. Instead, this case is really all about who gets how much money — be it lease proceeds or sale proceeds from the Seascape Properties.”

While the county has issued an appeal on the ruling, it seems as though the sale will be taking place as planned.