First Pitch
The Kansas City Royals released renderings of the planned $2 billion, 85-acre Crown Center project, which includes a new stadium, as well as new headquarters for both the team and partner Hallmark Cards. The Royals say the new ballpark development focuses on walkability and access to Kansas City’s streetcars. It is expected to create more than 20,000 jobs during the construction phase.
The Dallas Cowboys are seeking taxpayer support for a $1 billion upgrade to AT&T Stadium. The team has remained largely quiet on the scope of the upgrades, but city documents reveal a mix of infrastructure and operational improvements, including enhanced security systems, traffic flow upgrades and pedestrian safety measures. Under the proposal, the Cowboys would cover $750 million of the renovation costs, while Arlington would contribute $273 million over 20 years through existing venue tax revenues. The improvements would roll out in phases through 2043.
The group behind Reno Pro Soccer’s attempt to build a soccer stadium in Northern Nevada has submitted a preplanning application for a 28-acre, $350 million entertainment district called The Boulevard Reno. The district would include a 6,000-seat professional soccer stadium, a seven-story hotel, and an 18,352-square-foot retail building with eight commercial spaces, two restaurants, two bars, three retail spaces and a team store as part of a 55,000-square-foot retail village.
Breaking Ground
A new gymnasium and recreation center is under construction in Hollywood, Calif., as part of a two-phase project to improve Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks facilities in the 3.1-acre park along Cole Avenue and Santa Monica and Cahuenga boulevards. The new 13,912-square-foot project will feature a full-size basketball court, practice courts, multipurpose rooms, a computer lab, a kitchen, a recreation center office, restrooms, a utilities room, back-up battery storage space and park equipment storage. The project also includes an outdoor playground, exercise equipment stations, landscaping and additional solar-powered park lighting.
AMB Sports and Entertainment and the National Women’s Soccer League have begun construction on the new NWSL Atlanta 2028 Training Ground, which will include four fields and two half-pitches. The NWSL training ground represents more than $100 million of the total $200 million being invested in the Franklin Gateway corridor, according to AMB Sports and Entertainment.
Grand Openings
Michigan State University has cut the ribbon on the school’s new $200 million Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The three-level facility offers triple the workout space compared to the former IM West, as well as a 50-meter pool and an elevated track within eyeshot of the Breslin Center and Munn Ice Arena. The project encompasses two sports arenas serving basketball, volleyball and badminton, along with six multipurpose fitness spaces, including an indoor-outdoor yoga studio and a combat sports room.
The University of Pittsburgh has opened the $240 million Victory Heights sports complex. The facility, originally announced in January 2020, hosts dedicated practice facilities and locker rooms for the Pitt gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling and spirit squads. Victory Heights, which neighbors the Petersen Events Center, represents a single connected structure with two buildings. Victory Heights Arena seats more than 3,600 people depending on configuration.
The Howard County (Md.) Department of Recreation & Parks officially opened a new addition to its North Laurel Community Center. The nearly 23,000-square-foot, one-story addition to the NLCC includes a lap pool, a therapy leisure pool, women’s and men’s locker rooms, six family universal design restrooms, a reception area, office space, a youth playground and a preschool playground.
