Moreno Valley — The City Council on Jan. 7 gave staff direction to continue developing options for a regional sports complex, citing the city’s shortage of large tournament‑grade fields and demand from youth clubs and travel teams.

Nut graf: Council members said Moreno Valley, the second‑largest city in Riverside County, lacks a single large sports campus to host tournaments and accommodate soccer, baseball, softball, indoor sports and multi‑use courts. Several council members singled out the city’s existing small to mid‑sized parks as insufficient for regional events and urged staff to study parks of 75–130 acres, financing models and public‑private partnerships.

What the council authorized: Staff was asked to return with a range of sites, cost estimates, public‑private partnership scenarios and community‑engagement plans. Council member Gonzales and others emphasized phased development possibilities and collaboration with regional partners and funding sources. The council approved staff recommendation number 1 — to continue analysis and outreach — by unanimous vote.

Public input: Roy Blecker urged a single, consolidated plan rather than ad hoc projects; Council members and community members described demand from travel teams and youth sports programs for larger facilities.

Next steps: Staff will compile a site list, draft financial scenarios (including potential PPP models), conduct outreach to clubs and adjacent jurisdictions, and return to council with recommended next steps and estimated budgets.

Vote: The motion to direct staff to proceed passed unanimously (Council member Baca Santa Cruz: yes; Council member Delgado: yes; Council member Gonzales: yes; Council member Bernard: yes; Mayor Cabrera: yes).