Work is officially underway to bring a massive sports complex to Sacramento County, specifically, to a space that’s currently undeveloped within Folsom’s city limits.
Developers announced this week the submission of a development application to the City of Folsom for the proposed Folsom Ranch Sports Complex, a facility described by planners as a multi-use recreational and entertainment venue, “able to accommodate multiple configurations for various sports and events.”
According to the Folsom Ranch Sports Complex project website, a 21-acre piece of land south of Highway 50, off of Prairie City Road and Alder Creek Parkway, is where developers want to build out the 410,000-square-foot facility. The complex is just west of the newer-to-the-city community of Folsom Ranch where construction phases are still underway.
The firm that submitted plans for the Folsom Ranch Sports Complex, The Mettle Shop, is known for developing professional and recreational sports venues, including managing and operating Golden 1 Center, Sutter Health Park, Oakland Coliseum and Heart Health Park, according to a statement from its team.
The statement also outlined proposed amenities, including:
- Three NHL-sized ice sheets, divisible into nine youth hockey rinks
- 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
- Approximately 20,000 square feet of medical treatment and office space focusing on sports rehabilitation
“If you want to ice skate, if you want to figure skate, if you want to play hockey, you’re a 30 minute at least drive from right here,” said Darrin Gross, the Chief Revenue Officer for The Mettle Shop, the development group in charge of the project.
The facility would be designed to host tournaments, practices and public recreational activities for ice hockey, figure skating, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, lacrosse, soccer and many other sports, however developers said that when the facility could also accommodate conferences, art installations, family festivals, live music, and other community gatherings.
“We’re thrilled to reach this milestone in bringing a much-needed recreational facility to Folsom and the greater Sacramento region,” Joe Wagoner, CEO of The Mettle Shop said in a statement. “Our vision is to create a venue that strengthens community bonds through sports, recreation, and entertainment.”
Developers also tout that this facility could bring hundreds of jobs to the area and a nearly $24 million economic boost to the city of Folsom each year that would come from retail spaces, lodging, food/drink and entertainment sales.
“We’re excited about the recreational amenities it would bring economic development potential, new revenue for the city in terms of sales tax and hotel tax,” said Sarah Aquino, the Folsom City Mayor.
It’s estimated that at full capacity, the facility would serve more than 1.3 million visitors per year.
Joe Gagliardi, CEO of Choose Folsom, which includes both the Folsom Chamber of Commerce and the Folsom Tourism Bureau, also weighed in on the project proposal in a media release, saying the following:
“This project is a game-changer not just for tourism, but for our entire 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. It reflects the kind of visionary development that supports both economic vitality and quality of life for our residents.”
The Mettle Shop said its project application, including environmental analysis, is under review right now by the city of Folsom.
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