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Council approves NCAA venue lease, operations agreement for 2027 West Regional cross‑country meet
Summary
Spokane Valley authorized the city manager to execute a venue lease and a corresponding operations agreement that names Spokane Sports as the local organizing committee for the 2027 NCAA Division I West Regional Cross Country Championship; council vote was unanimous.
The Spokane Valley City Council unanimously authorized the city manager to sign an NCAA venue lease and a corresponding operations agreement that will allow the 2027 NCAA Division I West Regional Cross Country Championship to be scheduled at the city’s new course.
John Bothelli, Parks and Recreation Director, told the council Spokane Sports and Gonzaga University assembled a bid and that Spokane Sports will function as the local organizing committee (the LLC) to operate the event. Bothelli said the lease needed to be executed now so the NCAA can confirm and schedule the championship two years out.
Bothelli and staff explained the agreements split responsibilities: the city will act as venue owner and Spokane Sports will be the event operator. The city will receive a venue rental payment; Spokane Sports has agreed to pay the city an amount determined through a third‑party market analysis by Sports Facilities Advisory. The council was told Spokane Sports will pay the rental amount to the city and that the fee will be vetted with the city before being finalized.
Councilmember Elizabeth Merkel asked whether the NCAA or Spokane Sports would pay the city; Bothelli responded that Spokane Sports will pay the venue rental amount and that both NCAA and Spokane Sports will have financial obligations for staging the event. Bothelli also confirmed the agreement specifies that tickets will not be sold for the meet, noting that it is typical for this kind of championship to be free to spectators.
Legal staff said all three parties will carry insurance and that indemnification is split among the city, NCAA and Spokane Sports according to the lease and operations agreement. Kelly (city legal) emphasized that responsibility for a specific injury would depend on the factual circumstances of any incident.
Ben Lund and other public commenters praised the agreement and highlighted anticipated economic benefits for hotels and restaurants.
The motion carried 7–0. Staff said they will return to council later with the independent consultant’s rental‑fee recommendation and any final contract details.
