City to study feasibility of indoor field house, sports-tourism focus

The city will commission a feasibility study to define the size, location, operating budget and economic impact of a potential indoor field house at the sports park, city parks staff announced. The consultant will also study options for the park’s southwest corner, including additional athletic fields or open space. The study, led by Ballard King, will include a market assessment, stakeholder meetings, online surveys, programming recommendations and a final report scheduled to be delivered to the council on or about Friday, Nov. 7. "The feasibility study will . . . determine some of the needs of the sports park, specifically a future field house, and also what to do with the southwest corner of the park," Andrew, a city parks staff member, said. Why it matters: staff and council said the study is intended to test whether an indoor facility could generate year-round economic activity and sports tourism that would boost hotel stays and local businesses. "We're trying to . . . have a more year round economic impact for the community and for the hotels that are here," an unnamed council member said. Most of the council Q&A centered on scale and operations. Staff said the consultant will recommend facility programming and probable court counts (for example, basketball and volleyball) and estimate resulting visitors and revenue. "They'll look at it and say, . . . if you . . . we recommend, let's just say five basketball courts or eight basketball courts," Andrew said. He added the consultant had completed similar studies and would tailor recommendations to the local market. The city expects the study to describe shared use with schools and local leagues; staff estimated current youth basketball participation numbers in-house at about 500–600 children. Ballard King previously completed a 2016 feasibility study for the city, and staff said the consultant is familiar with the community. Council members also asked about next steps if the consultant identifies a preferred location. Andrew said a follow-up, more detailed site study by a second consultant would lay out programming, dimensions and precise placement within the park. The council (roll call: Voorhees, Carney, Foehny, Hudson, Stoffel, Newton) voted to advance the feasibility study item to the city council agenda. The staff presentation noted the study work is planned and included in the current budget. Staff cautioned that the consultant would not be handcuffed to a preset court-count target; instead, Ballard King will recommend the configuration based on market demand and operating projections. The study will also include an operational plan and an economic-impact analysis to estimate community benefits. The feasibility study and its final report will be available to the council before any formal decision on construction or site selection.