by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
A Jacksonville company’s work can be seen around the world, but its latest work will mean the world to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Environs, a company that designs and fabricates themed and immersive environments for a variety of entertainment and educational attractions, is finishing a 90-foot pirate ship named “Serendipity” it will donate to the “Give Kids the World Village” in Orlando, Fl. The village provides children with life-threatening illnesses, and their families a week-long, cost-free vacation at the resort.
The staff of Environs, a representative from “Give Kids the World Village” and a parent from Jacksonville who experienced the Village shared stories Wednesday at the Environs production facility on the Southside about how the resort and its newest feature will affect the children that visit.
“As you are working on this ship, I want you to know how much joy you’re are going to bring to the families that come to the village,” said Pam Landwirth, president of “Give Kids the World Village.”
By the time the Village premieres “Dive In” movies on a giant screen mounted on its deck, the ship will have been incorporated in a water feature at the Village and Environs will have spent over $600,000 and six months to complete the project.
It will be worth it, according to Environs CEO Derek Mercer.
“For us to be that blessing and give our best to make sure that a family is going to have a week’s worth of heaven or a week’s worth of ‘Yes,’ that’s awesome,” said Mercer. “We may be giving up six months of our time and the money to build the boat, but we can get more of that. These kids might not be able to have more experiences that this boat can provide.”
There were few people in the room who didn’t drop a tear when the smiling faces of the children enjoying the village were shown on a video screen illustrating the work the Village has done. Landwirth explained how the village helps to re-energize not only the children, but the families who have been battling the illness with their children – and the message was not lost.
“This is happening because of you guys,” said Mercer, looking out at his staff. “You will save a life. You will save a life because of what you are doing (with Serendipity).”
Environs has been operating for 15 years, formerly known as Creative Environs, and has a production facility and corporate office in Jacksonville and an office in Los Angeles. The company designs and fabricates themed and immersive environments for amusement parks, museums, visitor centers, hotels, resorts, casinos, restaurants and family entertainment centers. Clients include Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Nickelodeon, Atlantis Resort Casino, Nascar Hall of Fame, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Smithsonian, Paramount Parks and several of the nation’s zoological gardens.
There are no boundaries to where the company will work. It has served clients as near as the Jacksonville Zoo, creating features in the Splash Zone, squirrel monkey exhibit, otter exhibit, rock climbing wall and Forest Play children’s play areas; and as far away as the West Indies, where it created the Botanical Gardens of Nevis. The West Indies project included creating rock grottos and waterfalls tumbling down from Mayan Ruins.
The company may display its work all over the world, but it originates in Jacksonville away from the entertainment hubs of Orlando, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
“We like to be able to develop our own direction away from all the other companies in Orlando,” said John Oldham, president of Environs.
The business Environs is involved in doesn’t necessarily depend on location, according to Mercer.
“We don’t have to be in Orlando, Vegas or L.A.,” said Mercer. “You need to be near talented people and that’s why John founded the company here in Jacksonville.”
Besides being a transportation hub that provides a variety of options for moving the features built on site, Mercer has found that employees are willing to relocate to Jacksonville because of all it has to offer.
“Jacksonville has so many different types of environments, it’s got something for everyone,” said Mercer, who enjoys the surfing opportunities available in the area. “When they consider Jacksonville they see the city, the beaches and St. Augustine is right down the road.”
Environs employs a staff of about 40 people in Jacksonville and utilizes a network of contractors throughout the country and the world to complete projects.
“We’ve got staff here working to complete Serendipity and we have a contractor meeting with people in Hong Kong at midnight our time tonight to pitch an idea,” said Oldham. “We’ve had a pretty good year and we look to continue with the projects we have in development.”
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