Indoor_Sports_Facility_PPT_Presentation-February_12,_2026.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 2026-RFI-059
- Issued by
- Riverside County, California
About this file
This file consists of a City Council study session presentation from the City of Palm Desert, California, regarding an exploratory discussion of a proposed indoor sports complex facility. The City is seeking qualified firms and multidisciplinary teams to provide feasibility study services, including market and financial analysis, facility planning and operations, sports tourism programming, economic impact analysis, public-private partnership (P3) structuring, and implementation planning. The proposed regional indoor sports, recreation, and entertainment facility would be developed on approximately 18 to 20 acres of former Redevelopment Agency property within a larger 170-acre area at the northeast corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Portola Avenue, identified as the University Neighborhood Specific Plan Area. The City has requested City Council direction to authorize staff to continue exploring the concept through execution of a non-binding Letter of Understanding with Visit Greater Palm Springs, issuance of a Request for Proposals to identify qualified development and operations partners, and evaluation of capital and operating costs, funding options, and fiscal impacts. No specific response date, due date, or award date is identified in the presentation materials.
The presentation indicates preliminary capital cost estimates in the range of $80 million based on comparable facilities, with actual costs dependent on facility size, programming, site conditions, phasing, and partnership structure. A feasibility study completed by Visit Greater Palm Springs supports development of an indoor facility and projects estimated annual direct and indirect economic impact of $49.9 million, with revenue opportunities sufficient to cover operating expenses and capital costs. The City has identified no specific funding source or financing strategy at this stage but has noted potential consideration of P3 partnership structures, municipal leasing arrangements, or a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID). Comparable facilities reviewed include a 160,000-square-foot two-level complex in Henderson, Nevada, and a 200,000-square-foot two-level facility in Williamsburg, Virginia, both offering multipurpose indoor courts, synthetic turf fields, and ancillary amenities.
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Text version
Indoor Sports Complex Exploratory Discussion & Direction
City Council Study Session
February 12, 2025
Purpose of Study Session
• Present a preliminary indoor sports complex concept
• Share market context and comparable examples
• Receive City Council feedback and direction
Discussion item only — no action requested
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 2
Current Status
• Preliminary discussions with Visit
Greater Palm Springs (VGPS)
• No project scope, partner, or financing identified
• Council direction requested before advancing further
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 3
What Is an Indoor Sports Complex?
• Large, multi-use, climate-controlled recreational complex
• Supports local leagues, community use, and tournaments
• Hosts camps, clinics, regional/national tournaments, and special events
• Designed for year-round flexibility and multisport configurations
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 4
Why Cities Develop These Facilities
• Expands youth and adult recreation opportunities
• Attracts regional and national sports tourism
• Increases hotel stays and visitor spending
• Functions as an economic development anchor
• Balances community use with tournament activity
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 5
Market Context
Amateur sports tourism is a fast-growing sector
Destinations with similar facilities average:
~69 events annually
~2,950 attendees per event
Sports travel increased approximately 15% from 2019–2023
VGPS - Sports ETA
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 6
Potential Site Opportunity
• University Neighborhood Specific Plan Area
• UNSP update currently underway
• Approximately 170 acres of vacant land – city controlled
• Opportunity to evaluate an indoor facility as part of a broader mixed-use concept
• Indoor sports complex complements a regional park and tourism base
• Supports tournament travel and summer hotel demand
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 7
Initial Feasibility Study
Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS)
• Data does not support additional outdoor facilities at this time, but strongly supports an indoor facility
• Strong 300-minute market
• Opportunity to uniquely position a new facility with adaptive sports
• Sufficient revenue opportunity to cover operating expenses and capital costs
• Estimated annual direct/indirect economic impact =
$49.9 M
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 8
Comparable Facilities – Henderson, NV
• 18 acres, shared parking w/ Chicken N Pickle
• 160,000 square-foot, two-level facility
• 4 basketball courts or 8 volleyball courts
• Two 200’ x 100’ synthetic turf fields
• Multipurpose event spaces
• Child watch space
• Laser tag
• 24 bowling lanes
• Redemption arcade
• Outdoor mini golf
• Axe throwing
• Fitness and group fitness rooms
• Full-service food and beverage
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 9
Comparable Facilities – Williamsburg, VA
• 63 acres, larger concept
• 200,000 square-foot, two-level facility
• 12 basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts or 36 pickleball courts
• Indoor Conversion Turf System
• 1 Indoor Turf Football Field
• 3 Indoor Turf Multi-Purpose/Soccer Fields
• Climbing wall and equipment
• Additional gym equipment
• Tip & roll bleachers
• Curtain dividers
• Meeting and event rooms
• Food & beverage area
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 10
High-Level Cost Considerations
• Comparable facilities suggest capital costs in the $80M range (order-of-magnitude)
• Actual costs depend on:
• Facility size and programming
• Site conditions and phasing
• Partnership and financing structure
• No funding source or financing strategy identified
• P3 Partnership/Municipal Lease
• Potential consideration of a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID)
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 11
City Council Direction Requested
02/12/2026 Study Session - Indoor Sports Complex 12
1. Does City Council wish to direct staff to continue exploring this concept?
If so, next steps include:
1. Enter into a non-binding Letter of Understanding with VGPS
2. Issue an RFP to identify and vet qualified development/operations partners
3. Evaluate capital and operating costs, funding options, and fiscal impacts
4. Confirm the City as lead agency for evaluation and reporting
5. Identify Palm Desert as the study site for feasibility analysis
2. Are there additional factors City Council would like evaluated?
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