Consultants present draft HAPO Center master plan; county commissioners praise progress

Consultants presented a draft master plan for the HAPO Center campus and surrounding 100 acres during a Franklin County Board of Commissioners workshop Wednesday, laying out market analysis, proposed new and reconfigured facilities, and early financing and implementation considerations.

Charles Johnson, a consulting lead on the study, told the Board the draft builds on a prior Tri‑Cities convention and visitor market study and aims to present a combined business plan and physical master plan for the HAPO Center campus. “This facility is good because its local use as well as tournament use,” Johnson said, arguing the site can support a mix of local recreation, tournaments and Class‑B expo and entertainment events.

The draft, prepared by Johnson and consulting partner Bridal Cole with planning lead Brian (last name not specified in the meeting), recommends: expanding outdoor tournament capacity (a “pinwheel” softball complex), upgrading the arena and expo/banquet spaces (new scoreboard, seating reconfiguration, HVAC improvements), infill commercial development near Convention Center Drive (hotels, restaurants, family entertainment), additional parking, improved pedestrian and vehicle circulation and wayfinding, and a possible second ice pavilion. The consultants noted the site can generate hotel room nights and tax revenue if demand grows: their conservative projection showed roughly 250,000 turnstile attendees across campus uses and an early tax‑revenue estimate in the low millions annually, with potential to rise after city tax impacts are included.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the master plan helps turn a scattered set of facilities into a coordinated district that could drive tourism, hotel growth and new community amenities. Commissioner Baumann called the draft “far and beyond what we anticipated,” and Commissioner Malone described recent volunteer cleanup and private donations that have improved the site, saying the plan “could be the crown jewel in our community.” County Administrator Eric (last name not given) said the draft will be distributed in written form to stakeholders and to the public once finalized.

Details from the presentation: - Market and program: Consultants presented case studies for grass fields, a multiuse arena/exhibit hall sized for 3,000–4,000 seats, and a conclusion that the region is underserved for indoor ice. Johnson said the arena and expo hall could operate as a “Class B” venue for concerts, banquets and events while supporting local leagues and tournaments. - Attendance estimates: The consultants used conservative assumptions; their event calendar and attendance roll‑ups produced a campus estimate of hundreds of thousands of attendees annually across sports, tournaments and special events. They estimated supporting roughly 250–300 hotel rooms in the market year‑round at current demand levels. - Capital items identified: HVAC upgrades for the arena/expo hall (already a county priority), arena‑seating and scoreboard work, and an estimated $4–5.5 million range cited by the consultants to add a second sheet of ice if the county pursued that option. Johnson said the firm could propose funding mixes and partnerships but that the draft’s purpose is to confirm the facility’s highest and best use before committing large capital. - Site and circulation: The plan shows restriping to add nearly 250 spaces in one county lot, suggestions for transit drop‑offs in coordination with Ben Franklin Transit, and a proposed layout that preserves playing fields while adding a consolidated softball complex and commercial “village” near the HAPO Center front door.

Commissioner questions and next steps: Commissioners pressed on restrooms, concession placement and parking sequencing; Brian (planner) confirmed pinwheel fields typically include central restroom/concession cores and said more detailed design would address those needs. County staff and consultants said the draft will be released to stakeholders and available in written form on Friday; the consultants also plan to present the draft at a public meeting at the HAPO Center at 5:00 p.m. the same day. Commissioners asked staff to continue coordination with the city of Pasco and Ben Franklin Transit and to return with the draft for further review before final adoption.

Community reaction and ancillary items: The County’s HAPO manager, Mike McCall, was scheduled to present operational updates at a future meeting; commissioners noted recent private donations of materials and volunteer cleanup that improved conditions at the site.

Ending: The Board invited public engagement and advisory‑board review; consultants and staff will provide the draft report to commissioners and stakeholders and continue refining costs, financing options and implementation phasing based on feedback.