Indoor Skydiving facility opens in Virginia Beach

iFLY Va Beach Indoor Skydiving has opened the first and only vertical wind tunnel in Virginia.

The $7 million facility at 2412 Pacific Ave. in Virginia Beach  introduces advanced wind tunnel technology for a controlled indoor skydiving adventure.

The 19,000-square-foot venue has a 48-foot-tall, climate-controlled recirculating flight chamber powered by four fans generating 1,400 horse power that create variable wind speeds of up to 160 miles per hour.

“We’re always excited to welcome another unique recreational or entertainment offering to Virginia Beach” Warren D. Harris, director of Virginia Beach Economic Development, said in a statement. 

The skydiving experience is open to people of all ages and varying capabilities. The company said in a statement that no parachutes are required, and no experience necessary to fly in the controlled environment.  While there multiple rate structures for different groups, typically a flight package starts at $49.95 per person for a group of 12.

iFly has locations across the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Middle East and Asia. Virginia Beach is the company’s 27th location.

According to the company, more than 5.5 million customers have flown in its wind tunnels around the world.

In addition to providing facilities for the general public, iFLY Va Beach also provides a new training venue for military professionals and civilian skydivers.

The facility has created 26 full-time jobs, including two positions filled with service-disabled veterans. The number of jobs is expected to grow to more than 30 employees by the summer.

The new entertainment venue is the first of three major initiatives for the 2.1-acre site on Pacific Avenue and 25th Street. The city of Virginia Beach is working with the Breeden Co. on a public/private partnership to develop multifamily housing and a 598-space parking garage, with 340 spaces allotted for public use. The site was formerly a municipal parking lot with 240 spaces.

The residential development will include 147 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that are scheduled to open this summer. Aqua on 25th Street is a $35 million development with amenities that include a pool, rooftop decks and grills and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
 
The cost to build the garage is estimated at $10 million, and the city’s contribution includes the expense for the garage, street improvements and relocation of utilities at the site.