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City launches community center feasibility study; Group 4 contracted, outreach planned Sept–Oct
Summary
City staff and consultant Group 4 Architecture are conducting a feasibility study for a Cathedral City community center funded in part by Measure W allocations; the study will include stakeholder meetings, a resident survey and site analysis with a draft expected in November and final study by December 2025.
Victor Gomez, administrative analyst with the city manager’s office and economic development division, briefed the Public Arts Commission on the newly started feasibility study for a community recreation center.
Gomez said Cathedral City’s five-year strategic plan calls for a site-and-cost analysis for a community center. He noted that, in November, voters approved Measure W, generating approximately $5 million annually for city services; a portion of Measure W funds was proposed to support annexation into the Desert Recreation District (DRD) and to help provide recreation services, park maintenance and a future community center.
In July 2025 the City Council selected Group 4 Architecture, Research and Planning, Inc. as the consultant for the feasibility study. Gomez described the study’s scope: stakeholder meetings (including Cathedral City Schools, the Boys & Girls Club, the Senior Center, library staff, PACE and PAC members), technical meetings with DRD and planning staff, and a two-month community outreach program. The outreach plan includes an online bilingual survey launching Sept. 16, self-serve kiosks in public facilities, two rounds of targeted outreach (a Hispanic Heritage Month block party on Sept. 20 and a movie-in-the-park event on Oct. 7) and visits to local schools to gather youth input.
Gomez said the study will analyze potential sites (city-owned land and vacant commercial buildings), examine transportation and access factors, and produce a financial analysis and partnership options in October. The consultant will present draft findings in November with the final study slated for December 2025 and possible presentation to City Council in December or January.
Commissioners asked that outreach events include evening options to reach working residents; staff acknowledged that both daytime and evening engagement methods (including Zoom and later-time events) will be considered. Gomez and staff emphasized that existing providers — the Boys & Girls Club and the Senior Center — currently provide de facto community services, and the study’s intent is to complement rather than duplicate those programs. Staff stressed that scalability will be a primary consideration (phasing a center vs. building full facilities at once).
Ending
The item was informational; no action was requested. Staff invited commissioners to share outreach information with their networks and said more details will follow as the survey and community kiosks launch.
