Plans for a $70 million sports complex in Douglas County, Colorado, are advancing after county commissioners acquired 46.5 acres for the project. The project is currently in the design phase.
The Zebulon Regional Sports Complex – located on Sterling Ranch south of C-470 – is an upcoming initiative to provide sports amenities to youth and adults. The county is looking to establish a public-private partnership (P3) to facilitate development and boost the region’s economy and booming population.
As part of the recent land transfer, Douglas County acquired 34.2 acres of land from Sterling Ranch, combining it with 12.3 acres already owned by the county. County commissioners provided 23.8 acres to Sterling Ranch for commercial development in exchange. The agreement stipulates that ranch residents will receive free access to the sports complex’s amenities and ensures that they will continue to preserve 185 acres of open space for elk migration.
The 399,000-square-foot sports complex will offer a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors. Most of the interior space will be dedicated to building an indoor sports complex, containing various amenities including ice rinks and arenas; basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts and a practice ice and skills pad. Additional features will include:
- A spectator mezzanine.
- Golf simulators.
- Retail and daycare space.
- A restaurant.
- Facilities for impact sports.
A sports dome has also been planned for the project, containing indoor turf and baseball fields, fitness space, entertainment venues and impact turf and pitching cages. The complex’s outdoor areas will feature four baseball fields and ample parking. The project’s current vision incorporates options for future development opportunities, including outdoor baseball and soccer fields.
Additional components integral to the holistic Zebulon vision will revolve around developing community, facility and administrative spaces. Amenities featured in these areas will include restrooms, changing rooms, storage, classrooms, offices, locker rooms, party rooms, concessions and mechanical and maintenance facilities.
The Zebulon Regional Sports Complex’s recreational and athletics offerings only cover half of the project’s vision. County officials are planning on building a 2.4 million-square-foot mixed-use district prioritizing hospitality, retail, residential and healthcare amenities. These will include:
- Experiential and traditional retail spaces.
- A grocery store.
- Restaurants and bars.
- A medical office and clinic facility.
- A daycare and education center.
- Workforce housing.
The project will be funded through the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space fund – a 0.17% sales-and-use tax approved by voters in 2022. The fund supports the acquisition, administration, planning, development, operations and maintenance of Douglas County’s parks, trails, historic resources and open spaces.
While the first phase is estimated to cost $70 million, the county is in the process of conducting studies to finalize infrastructure development costs for the holistic project. The county will continue collaborating with private-sector partners to further refine the project’s vision.
Rendering courtesy of Douglas County, Colorado
