A look at the newest sports venues, aquatics centers, indoor complexes, and community recreation projects breaking ground or opening across the U.S. this season.
Stay ahead of the game and discover cutting-edge innovations in the latest sports facility news.
As youth and sports travel continues to boom, new facility developments are making headlines. This week’s update looks at inclusive playgrounds, high-impact funding models, and transformational indoor venues. Here’s a closer look at what’s breaking ground, or opening soon, around the country.
Roseville, California — Placer Valley Soccer Complex Adds Power Playground
In Roseville, CA, the Placer Valley Soccer Complex is nearing its full debut, and its centerpiece may be the most community-oriented: the Power Playground, a universally accessible playground that invites children of all abilities to enjoy play together.
The complex itself is built for year-round use, with 10 lighted synthetic turf full-size fields, which can be reconfigured for smaller youth field formats (U7, U10). Pathways around the complex, plazas (north and south), and shaded gathering spaces support more than just competitive athletics.
On the accessibility front, the design includes:
- Accessible restrooms, changing facilities (including adult-size changing tables) near the playground
- Accessible surfacing so wheelchairs can navigate comfortably
- A perimeter walking loop around the complex for pedestrians and joggers
The playground, sponsored by Roseville Electric Utility, is Roseville’s largest inclusive playground. Parking is plentiful (about 950 spaces) and includes EV charging stations.
The project is part of Roseville’s broader sports tourism push: the soccer complex is designed to host tournaments and attract visitors, bolstering the local economy. A 12-year, $5 million naming-rights agreement has already been struck with Placer Valley Tourism to support long-term operations.
Janesville, Wisconsin — Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center Opens
In Janesville, WI, the new Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center has officially opened, marking a major achievement in public-private development. The 140,000-square-foot venue, located at 2510 Milton Avenue in the Uptown Janesville Mall, includes:
- A 1,500-seat, year-round ice arena capable of hosting hockey and figure skating.
- A 23,000-square-foot multi-purpose arena that converts from ice to dry flooring, supporting sports like basketball, volleyball, pickleball, or turf events.
- A 25,800-square-foot conference center / court space (“Robert & Delores Kennedy Conference Center”) used for trade shows, conventions, and athletic events.
Supporting infrastructure includes team locker rooms, administrative offices, meeting rooms, training space, concessions, and storage. The facility has free parking and Wi-Fi, and is ADA compliant.
The naming rights deal, held by Woodman’s Markets, underscores the private investment in this public resource. The center is being operated with an eye toward regional tournaments, local sport leagues, and community events.
Marlboro, New Jersey — The Club at Marlboro Indoor Sports Facility (2026)
In Marlboro, NJ, The Club at Marlboro is planned to open in fall 2026, built by owners Erica and Mike Rosenberg (also behind The Club at Monroe). This 25,000-square-foot facility will feature:
- 10 dedicated courts for pickleball and badminton.
- Pro lighting to support high-level play.
- A 3,600-square-foot mezzanine for viewing or multi-sport activity.
- A 4,000-square-foot social area with lounge seating, bar-top tables, and party rooms.
- Year-round access (365 days), plus locker/shower amenities to support tournament play.
Programming will mirror the Club at Monroe model — with open play, junior lessons, leagues, and tournaments — leveraging the Rosenbergs’ experienced racquets instructors. The facility aims to be not just a place to play, but a community hub for all ages.
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Lee’s Summit, Missouri — $48M View High Sports & Entertainment Complex
In Lee’s Summit, MO, plans for the View High Sports + Entertainment complex have been approved, with an estimated $48 million budget. Slated to open in late 2026, the development spans 17 acres and features:
- An indoor, FIFA-regulation-sized soccer field.
- Up to eight basketball courts and twelve volleyball courts (or flexible combination) for programming and tournaments.
- A 7,500-sq-ft training area for speed, agility, weight training.
- Batting cages and pitching/power tunnels for baseball training.
- A 10,000-sq-ft entertainment center: arcade, golf simulators, indoor playground / active play.
- A café, medical office space, and athletic club offices to support events and daily users.
Outdoors, the plan includes an additional 90,000 sq ft of space with a full-size soccer field and five pickleball courts. The facility is being positioned as both a high-performance training site and a tournament destination, bridging youth and elite sports.
Chico, California — Aquatic & Recreation Center Breaks Ground
In Chico, CA, the Chico Area Recreation & Park District (CARD) held a groundbreaking on August 21, 2025 for its new Aquatics & Recreation Center at 13365 Garner Lane The project has been decades in the making, on a site donated by Ken Grossman and Katie Gonser.
Key elements:
- A 50-meter competition pool, a program pool, and a leisure pool with interactive play features.
- Facility will include a bathhouse, locker rooms, mechanical/electrical systems, utilities, and landscaping.
- Designed by a team including Confluence Architecture, Water Technologies, Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, Rolls Anderson & Rolls, and Ballard King & Associates.
- Construction awarded to Slater & Son, a local contractor with deep roots in the community.
- Funding includes a $6 million Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant from the federal government.
CARD projects a fall 2026 opening, making this a major recreational and tourism asset for Chico. The facility is being designed not just for swim teams but for broader community use — classes, lessons, social events, and more.
Seminole County, Florida — Proposed $60M Indoor Sports Complex
In Seminole County, FL, plans for a large indoor sports facility are gaining momentum, backed by a new Tourism Improvement District (TID) and hotel room assessment.
Details:
- A $1.75 per-night fee will be added to hotel stays (for hotels with 60+ rooms) until the project is completed. The fee is projected to generate $3.2 million annually, helping fund the complex.
- Proposed facility size: estimates range from 140,000 to 170,000+ square feet, depending on the final design. Programming could include volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, plus other indoor tournament sports. WESH
However, local commissioners have raised concerns — recent revisions suggest the cost may swell to $66–$100 million, and further funding beyond the hotel assessment will be needed. Commissioner Andria Herr emphasized fiscal prudence and maximizing every square foot of the facility.
That said, if fully realized, county projections suggest the complex could double sports tourism visitation and generate tens of millions annually in economic impact.
Elmhurst, Illinois & Vail, Colorado — McHugh Construction Launches Two Projects
McHugh Construction has broken ground on two significant facility projects:
Vail, Colorado: Renovation of the Dobson Ice Arena, a 27,000-square-foot facility originally built in 1979. The project includes:
- Roof reinforcement / replacement while preserving original architectural elements (like exposed glulam beams).
- Upgraded locker rooms, restrooms, and ADA accessibility.
- Energy-efficient building systems, and site landscaping hardscaping improvements.
- Scheduled completion: late 2026.
Elmhurst, Illinois: Construction prep has begun for a 127,250-square-foot new Wagner Community Center, replacing the old 32,000 sq-ft facility. Key features:
- Artificial turf field (for soccer, football, baseball) ~ 24,700 sq ft.
- Over 27,000 sq ft of gym space for basketball, volleyball, pickleball.
- A three-lane, 1/8-mile indoor walking/jogging track.
- Dedicated early-childhood / preschool space, expanded dance & gymnastics studios.
- Flexible multipurpose meeting/program rooms and indoor play areas for community use.
- Grand Opening is targeted for fall 2027, with demolition of the old center expected in late 2025.
