QuickTake:

Travel Lane County is working with Lane County to research options for the project, and a Springfield location is under consideration. Councilors raised questions about traffic and collaboration with existing recreation providers. 

Springfield councilors in a work session Monday, May 11, discussed a potential new indoor multisport facility that would serve Lane County residents and potentially drive tourism with regional sports tournaments. 

“I think it is something that we need in the community, and I’m eager and patient to let it develop at its own pace,” Mayor Sean VanGordon said. 

The discussion followed a presentation by Travel Lane County, a private organization that is working with Lane County to research options for the project. Travel Lane County works to generate overnight stays “for a vibrant year-round and countywide economy,” said Travel Lane County President and CEO Samara Phelps.

The sports facility is intended to address seasonal instability in tourism and generate winter visits, Phelps said. It would also address a local court shortage. She said a market study indicates an indoor facility could generate 37 tournaments annually, 29,000 new overnight stays and an additional $21 million in visitor spending.

The facility does not currently have a site, though three are under consideration, including one in Springfield, Phelps said. That is the former Royal Caribbean building off Gateway Street in northwest Springfield. 

Other locations being considered are the Lane Events Center, which would include new construction, and reuse of a Petersen-Arne distribution center on West Fifth Avenue in Eugene, Phelps said.

Officials estimate building and equipping the center will cost about $60 million plus the cost of land. The facility is planned to be 131,000 square feet with eight basketball courts that could be converted into 16 volleyball courts. Phelps said the area could also be converted into flat floor space for dance and cheerleading competitions. 

“It would be a very flexible multisport opportunity,” she said. 

Phelps said estimates put the facility operationally sustainable at year three and generating revenue after five years. 

She said Travel Lane County is working with Sports Facilities Co., which has recommended a public-private partnership with management by a nonprofit. The county is deliberating how it will use funds from the 2% transient lodging tax implemented in 2023 to build tourism infrastructure, Phelps said. 

“The money’s been being collected, but a project hasn’t been identified,” she said. 

Phelps said the project will require multijurisdictional public support.

“Springfield’s participation, in whatever form it makes sense as the project comes together, will be critical in identifying this as a priority for our community and strengthening the foundation of that public investment that unlocks private capital,” she said. 

City Councilor Andrew Buck said officials will need to consider the influx of traffic from the facility. 

“That’s in no way, shape or form me saying that I think that this is a bad project, or I’m not supportive of it,” he said. “I just think that we have to have some consideration around, when we bring this volume of people into the community, which is great, how are we going to manage that? Where are they going to eat? Where are they going to be driving?”

He said he likes the Royal Caribbean location, which could be accessed easily by both Eugene and Springfield communities. Buck also said he would want to ensure the project would not negatively impact Willamalane Park and Recreation District. 

Phelps said input from Willamalane and Kidsports is informing the project. 

VanGordon also gave his approval of the north Gateway location and cautioned against over-engineering the project. 

“Not perfect and open is a really good place to be,” he said.