Frequently Asked Questions
No.
Despite continued rumors, the project has not been cancelled.
A series of hurdles and challenges did slow us down and caused us to fall behind schedule, but work continues to move things forward and make up some of the time.
The approximate and then exact location of the Róme resort will be announced as soon as it is felt safe to do so. In order to prevent anti-lgbt folks from causing pre-opening issues , it is best that the exact location be kept quiet for now.
First understand that the $50 membership initiation fee was NOT a “crowd-sourcing” method to raise the funds to build the Róme resort. This risk-free fee was put in place for the purpose of showing the bank/investors the clear support for the project in order to secure the necessary loan(s). This fee was recorded as a micro-loan and has been mostly returned to the early members once the purpose was deemed successful. There are still a few members whose initiation fee has yet to be returned as they have not emailed back with their return preference. (This may be due to their supplying an old email address to us, and thus we have been unable to reach them). But we will eventually reach everyone. If you or someone you know has yet to receive their return, please encourage them to contact: members@theromeventure.com to arrange their return.
The goal is to have the majority of the complex open by the end of 2024. The goal isn’t to get it done fast, but to get it done right ……but right as quickly as possible. The construction plan is to have the resort built in 2 consecutive phases, with Phase I opening as construction begins on Phase II.
Absolutely. You can send an email to:
tom@theromeventure.com or members@theromeventure.com
If you would like to speak to someone by phone, simply email either address listed above with your name, phone number and best day and time to call.
While Róme will be known for it’s fun and entertainment atmosphere, the property will also be a hub for community support and services. The resort will offer members easy and discreet access to physical and mental health services, residential guidance, and assistance in the areas of tax, legal, employment along with regional and gay travel.
No. Tom runs a small ingredient supply company, which is the primary source of his personal income. All expenses incurred to date for any and all of the planning and design of the project have been paid by him personally.
Every new member is emailed an initial Interest Survey (If you do not receive one, contact members@theromeventure.com at your earliest opportunity). And there will be two additional surveys that will follow. These surveys are meant to provide the Róme team with insight into what the membership’s wants and needs are.
Additionally, Tom has set up a diverse “Council of Ten” to advise and offer thoughts, suggestions and insight into the potential needs of various components of our broad community.
A feasibility study was commissioned in early October 2021 from the international research firm Wert-Berator, LLC. The results of the $10,000 study were delivered on December 17, 2021. The 236-page study is highly supportive of the Róme project, it’s comprehensive business plan and operational structure, financial projections and the various components that make up the physical property. The study supports the funding requests from our primary lender group and a summary sheet will be a part of the level two Investor Package.
Because of the multiple service and entertainment venues, the club’s build is expected to make it the largest LGBTQ+ resort hotel complex (non-campground) in Florida, (and possibly the country), coming in at 175,000 square feet fully completed.
Róme is not being built as a renovation of an existing hotel property. Instead, it is being built from scratch, from the ground up. This allows us to take full advantage of the property size and layout to create exactly what we wish to have as we want it.
Róme will offer a variety of amenities, some with broad appeal and some with a targeted member segment in mind. The goal is to provide a truly enjoyable social and entertainment atmosphere, within a fun and safe resort complex. The property’s design consists of 2 large outdoor spaces, and 5 indoor venues.
NO. The Róme resort is being created to be enjoined by all members of our lgbtq community as well as our straight allies. It is hoped that the member-only structure, the secure environment, member ownership and broad entertainment offerings, will foster greater camaraderie amongst all members no matter their sex, orientation, or identity.
Not exactly, but sort of. We are categorizing members into three groups, based on when they become members;
Founding Members were the first category, followed by Building Members.
The Opening Members category will begin when the resort is closer to opening.
No. Construction loans and project investors are funding the project. The early membership drive was a way to demonstrate the true demand for such a property. The membership list proved to the bank that there are “customers” for the property…..and will provide adequate revenue to pay off their loans.
While Thomas Carlucci, founder of The Róme Venture is handling the overall layout and design concept, the actual interior and exterior designs are being handled by a handful of designers in order for there to be a spectrum of design esthetic to be experienced throughout the property.
Yes. The ability for someone in a wheelchair to access the multiple venues on the property was incorporated into the design of the layout and placement of access points.
Memberships are currently closed. They will resume when the resort is close to opening. Memberships acquired already were established for the purpose of demonstrating the demand for the resort. As this was a successful exercise, the process is not needed to be continued at this time. Fees paid for memberships will begin being returned in January of 2022. (Please be sure that your current email address is on recorded with the Róme Venture database. You can check and update by emailing: members@theromeventure.com). All memberships are recorded and will be applied to membership status at the resort.
ASK!
We’re doing our best to be as transparent and timely as we can. If you hear something that doesn’t sit well with you, or seems unclear, get in touch and express your question or concern. We’ll get you the best answer we can prudently offer, based on the current information.
You can also check this page regularly for updates and additional answers to questions submitted by others.
The funds collected as the initiation fee for the memberships, were kept in a Rome Project Inc bank account. The bank statement for this account was used as the supporting evidence of the validity of the member roster. These funds have been mostly returned to members now that it has been determined that the demand for the resort has been demonstrated. Any early member that has not received their initiation fee return, should email:
members@theromeventure.com to arrange for the return. We must not have accurate contact information for you.
Once the resort opens, there will only be a need for an annual dues fee to maintain our registered guest structure. And the annual dues will not begin until the 2nd year of operation. (Currently, for Building Members, that will be set at $20/year for the length of their membership. It will be higher for members of the future Opening and standard member categories that we will move into as the project advances.)
Your registered guest account (maintained through your annual dues) can be thought of as an annual pass to a theme park. It provides you access into the resort. Use of the pools, lounges, sundecks, theaters, and various other amenities. You’ll able to enjoy the entertainment offerings during your visit. The only additional costs would come from food and beverage purchases, guestroom accommodations that you may want, shop purchases and some special events, that may have a charge.
No, not at all. It is with full hope and intent that Róme will be a comfortable place for all of us that gather under our multi-colored umbrella. And we all have straight friends that we love to hang out with as well. And there’s no reason that they can’t or shouldn’t socialize with us at Róme. We certainly welcome our straight allies to become members if they wish.
The real question is: why would you not? If you are one of the many who want us to have property to truly call our own, owned and operated by our community, dedicated to our community, looking out for and caring for our community, then why would you not through your full support behind it?
There is no risk you are taking on, you have no work to show up for, you have no problems to deal with if they come about. All you have to do is say “We are worth the outcome and this is worth my support”.
Investors – Can I get a piece of the pie?
Yes. There will be an opportunity for those that may wish to be backers (wishing to invest an amount of money in exchange for a future higher return on that investment) following the finalized securing of the initial construction loans.
Currently, anyone who may be interested in investing in the project should contact Thomas Carlucci at: tom@theromeventure.com to express your interest and discuss more detail. While no funds are being accepted at this time, a list of interested parties is being maintained, and those individuals will be contacted when the opportunity is made available.
