Rec Sports
Folsom Ranch Sports Complex plans submitted. What’s next?
The project is large enough to require environmental review, which typically means hearings by the city council and planning commission are about six months out. FOLSOM, Calif. — Plans for a large sports complex south of Highway 50 have been formally submitted to Folsom, and the city weighed in on next steps and a timeline […]
The project is large enough to require environmental review, which typically means hearings by the city council and planning commission are about six months out.
FOLSOM, Calif. — Plans for a large sports complex south of Highway 50 have been formally submitted to Folsom, and the city weighed in on next steps and a timeline for the project.
The Folsom Ranch Sports Complex, an approximately 410,000-square-foot recreation facility, will occupy almost 21 acres at the northeast corner of Prairie City Road and Alder Creek Parkway, officials said.
“A project of this magnitude, which will require environmental review, typically takes about six months before it is heard by the Planning Commission and the City Council,” the city wrote Monday in an email to ABC10. “We anticipate this project to be heard before the end of this year. The exact timeline will depend on the results of the city’s review and the duration of the environmental review process.”
Folsom said it will invite the community to participate in review through public hearings.
What does the proposed complex feature?
The facility is reportedly designed to host tournaments and practices for ice hockey, figure skating, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, lacrosse and soccer, among other sports.
- A 3,000-seat area with a National Hockey League-sized ice sheet.
- Two other NHL-sized ice sheets; the three rinks can provide nine youth rinks total when divided.
- Up to 24 volleyball courts or 27 youth basketball courts when converted.
- 145,000 square feet of outdoor space, including a 126,000-square-foot covered and lit outdoor turf field.
- About 20,000 square feet of medical treatment and office space focusing on sports rehabilitation.
The complex can accommodate live music, festivals, conferences and art galleries when not in use for sporting events, according to the company behind the project, The Mettle Shop.
Sacramento County is the largest county in the U.S. without a year-round ice facility and there are no full ice sheets within a 30-minute drive of the project site, The Mettle Shop said. The sports complex aims to address this “gap” while supporting what organizers said is a growing popularity of ice sports in California.
“We’re thrilled to reach this milestone in bringing a much-needed recreational facility to Folsom and the greater Sacramento region,” said Joe Wagoner, CEO of The Mettle Shop. “…Our vision is to create a venue that strengthens community bonds through sports, recreation, and entertainment.”
Folsom Mayor Sarah Aquino said the city’s eagerly awaited the facility’s formal application.
“A facility of this scale could bring exciting new opportunities for recreation, tourism, entertainment, and economic activity to our city,” she said. “While the concept still needs to go through the city’s thorough review process, we appreciate the developer’s investment in Folsom and look forward to learning more as the proposal moves forward.”
Folsom Ranch Sports Complex renderings. Here’s what it could look like
What are economic, other impacts on the community?
Applicants estimate the complex would serve more than 1.3 million visitors per year and annually generate $23.7 million from retail, lodging, food and entertainment sales.
The facility would create over 400 full-time jobs, ABC10 reported in 2022.
Joe Gagliardi, CEO of Choose Folsom which includes the Folsom Tourism Bureau, called the project a “game-changer” for the business community.
“The Folsom Ranch Sports Complex will drive new visitor spending, create jobs, and open doors for local businesses to grow alongside the city’s expanding infrastructure,” he said. “It reflects the kind of visionary development that supports both economic vitality and quality of life for our residents.”
Rich Francis, president of nonprofit Folsom Athletic Association, said the city’s local sports organizations have long advocated for more high-quality facilities.
“The Folsom Ranch Sports Complex will dramatically expand opportunities for our youth and adult athletes alike, allowing us to host tournaments and competitions that were previously impossible in our area,” Francis said. “Our association represents more than 15,000 young athletes and families through Recreational and Competitive teams, and this facility will only be a net positive.”
The Mettle Shop team said it has experience managing and operating professional and recreational sports in venues like Golden 1 Center, the Oakland Coliseum, Sutter Health Park and Heart Health Park.
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