Indoor_Sports_Facility_Staff_Report-February_12,_2026.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 2026-RFI-059
- Issued by
- Riverside County, California
About this file
This is a City Council staff report prepared by the City of Palm Desert, California, regarding a potential public-private partnership for the development of a regional indoor sports, recreation, and entertainment facility. The City is in the early evaluation phase and has not yet identified a specific project scope, development partner, or financing structure. Staff is seeking City Council direction to proceed with a phased approach involving due diligence, partner vetting, and financial analysis. The proposed facility would be developed on approximately 18 to 20 acres of former Redevelopment Agency property located at the northeast corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Portola Avenue within a larger 170-acre area, which is being evaluated as part of the University Neighborhood Specific Plan update. The City is considering comparable facilities currently under construction, including the West Henderson Fieldhouse in Nevada (160,000 square feet on 18 acres) featuring basketball courts, volleyball courts, synthetic turf fields, bowling lanes, arcade, and food service, and the Greater Williamsburg Sports & Events Center in Virginia (200,000 square feet on 63 acres) offering basketball courts, volleyball courts, pickleball courts, indoor turf fields, and meeting spaces. Proposed next steps include entering into a non-binding Letter of Understanding with Visit Greater Palm Springs, issuing a Request for Proposals to identify qualified development and operations partners, evaluating capital and operational costs, and confirming Palm Desert as the lead agency.
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with this study session, as any potential future costs or financial commitments would be brought back to City Council for separate consideration and approval. The City seeks qualified firms and multidisciplinary teams with demonstrated experience in feasibility study services, public-private partnerships, facility operations, economic impact analysis, and strategic implementation planning for regional indoor sports and recreation facilities. Respondents should provide information regarding their firm's qualifications, relevant experience, key areas of expertise, and examples of comparable feasibility studies completed for public agencies, as well as their experience structuring public-private partnerships and any potential interest in development, financing, operation, or management of similar facilities. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this report. No award date, contract term, or specific response deadline is identified in this staff report.
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Text version
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: February 12, 2026
PREPARED BY: Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: POTENTIAL INDOOR SPORTS COMPLEX PARTNERSHIP
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a presentation on a potential indoor sports complex concept and provide feedback and direction on proposed next steps for further evaluation.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The City has been engaged in preliminary discussions regarding the potential development of a sports complex that could provide recreational, economic development, and regional tourism benefits. Given the scale of such a facility and the potential fiscal and operational implications, staff is seeking Council direction before proceeding with any formal agreements or commitments.
DISCUSSION
At this stage, no project scope, partner, or financing structure has been identified. Staff’s intent is to take a deliberate, phased approach focused on due diligence, partner vetting, and financial analysis before determining whether a project should advance. As the City is in the process of finalizing the University Neighborhood Specific Plan (UNSP) update, the vacant 140 acres presents an opportunity to explore a sports complex as part of a broader mixed-use development concept, subject to further analysis and Council direction. Any such concept would complement, and not replace, the planned regional park envisioned for the site.
Similar multi-use sports facilities are currently under construction in other regions, including Henderson, Nevada and Williamsburg, Virginia, and provide examples of scale, programming, and potential community benefits.
Comparable Facilities
Henderson, Nevada – West Henderson Fieldhouse The West Henderson Fieldhouse is currently under construction and will include a 160,000 square-foot, two-level facility on approximately 18 acres. The facility is designed to support Parks and Recreation programming, youth sports activities, camps, clinics, and family entertainment.
Planned amenities include:
Four 84’x50’ basketball courts that can be transitioned to eight volleyball courts
Two 200’ x 100’ synthetic turf fields
Multipurpose event spaces
Child watch space
City of Palm Desert Potential Indoor Sports Complex
Laser tag
24 bowling lanes
Redemption arcade
Outdoor mini golf
Axe throwing
Fitness and group fitness rooms
Full-service food and beverage
Williamsburg, Virginia – Greater Williamsburg Sports & Events Center The Williamsburg sports center is a planned 200,000 square-foot, two-level facility located on approximately 63 acres. The facility will support local programming Monday through Thursday and host regional and national tournaments Friday through Sunday. Planned features include:
12 basketball courts that convert to 24 volleyball courts and 36 pickleball courts
Ceiling-mounted basketball goals, volleyball systems and scoreboards
Indoor Conversion Turf System o 1 Indoor Turf Football Field o 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
PROPOSED NEXT STEPS
If City Council is supportive of continuing exploration, staff recommends the following next steps:
1. Enter into a Letter of Understanding with Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) to establish a non-binding framework for cooperation and information sharing related to the potential sports complex.
2. Prepare and issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify and vet qualified sports complex development and operations partners.
3. Evaluate capital and ongoing operational costs, including potential funding strategies and fiscal impacts, and return to City Council with a proposed deal structure, should a viable option be identified.
4. Confirm the City of Palm Desert as the lead agency for coordinating the evaluation process, partner engagement, and Council reporting.
5. Identify Palm Desert as the proposed site location for feasibility analysis purposes, subject to further land use, environmental, and financial review.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this study session. Any potential future costs or financial commitments would be brought back to City Council for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Indoor sports complex executive summary, April 14, 2025
2. Feasibility study of a new amateur sports complex, April 17, 2024
3. Presentation
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AWARENESS CHECKLIST:
☐ Site-Specific Property Interest – Councilmembers should check if they own or lease real property within 1,000 feet of the project site (Gov. Code § 87103(b); FPPC Reg. 18702.2).
☐ SB 1439 Applicability (Campaign Contributions) – Applies to licenses, permits, or other entitlements for use, and to contracts or franchise agreements other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts.
Applicant(s)/Appellant(s): Not Applicable
Councilmembers should review any campaign contributions received within the last 12 months from parties or participants to the proceeding and must not accept contributions over $500 from those parties for 12 months following the final decision (Gov. Code § 84308).
Note: These indicators are informational and do not constitute a legal determination. Each Councilmember is responsible for identifying and disclosing any disqualifying interests in accordance with the Political Reform Act and FPPC regulations.
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