Project Status & Latest Updates

What we learned:
On April 28, 2026, Travel Lane County President and CEO Samara Phelps presented to the Lane County Board of County Commissioners, joined by Jason Harris, Lane County economic development manager, and Corey Buller, Lane Events Center manager. The presentation covered the market analysis, the public-private partnership structure, community engagement to date and the path to decision-grade feasibility.

The board was actively engaged, asking questions and expressing consistent support for moving the project forward.

A recording of the full presentation and discussion is available below.

Why this matters:
The Board of County Commissioners is the essential public partner for this project. Their commitment is what organizes private capital, operators and all other partners around a shared structure. The level of engagement and support expressed at this meeting reflects that the project is on a clear path forward.

What happens next:
Travel Lane County and Lane County have completed a partnership charter establishing shared governance and resource commitments. The request for proposals for the decision-grade feasibility consultant has been issued. The project team will return to the Board of County Commissioners with the chosen consultant in approximately 90 days.

Recording of the full session

No decisions have been made regarding site selection, funding, ownership or whether to proceed with development. This presentation does not represent a commitment to any specific model or approach.

What we learned:
On April 2, 2026, Travel Lane County hosted a stakeholder session with local elected officials, county staff, hospitality partners, youth sports organizations and community members. Evan Eleff from Sports Facilities Companies presented how communities across the country have funded, built and operated indoor sports facilities through public-private partnerships.

The presentation covered real examples from Spokane, Appleton, Wisconsin, and the Kansas City area, and introduced two partnership structures that could apply to a multi-jurisdictional project like this one. The first centers on a project-specific 501(c)(3) nonprofit with public and community representation on its board. The second is a lease-backed model in which a developer builds and operates the facility, which reverts to public ownership at the end of the agreement. Both models allow public entities to support the project using dedicated revenues without directly tapping their general bonding capacity.

Across all examples, the common factor was alignment: multiple public and private partners coming together around a shared commitment to fund, build and sustain a facility over time.

Why this matters:
The session demonstrated that there are proven, replicable models for building facilities like this. It also clarified that no single funding source is sufficient on its own. A successful project requires a layered funding approach combining public revenue commitments, private development expertise, and potentially philanthropic or grant funding.

What happens next:
Travel Lane County and Lane County are working together to move into decision-grade feasibility, which will evaluate site viability, cost, ownership, funding and marketability for each site under consideration. 

Recording of the full session

No decisions have been made regarding site selection, funding, ownership or whether to proceed with development. This session was informational and does not represent a commitment to any specific model or approach.

What we learned:
Travel Lane County completed an exploratory analysis with The Sports Facilities Companies to evaluate whether an indoor multiuse sports facility concept is sufficiently defined to warrant decision-grade feasibility. The report summarizes findings related to facility requirements, demand characteristics, comparable facilities in other communities and the limitations of exploratory analysis.

Why this matters:
The exploratory report documents what has been learned to date and explains why additional, site-specific and decision-grade analysis would be required before any public decisions could be considered.

What happens next:
The findings were shared with Lane County as part of the January 27, 2026 Board of County Commissioners work session. The report is provided here for transparency and public reference.

Download exploratory findings report (PDF)

This report reflects exploratory analysis only and does not recommend a site, funding approach or project outcome. Decision-grade feasibility and any future public decisions would require additional, site-specific analysis and formal authorization.

What we discussed:

On January 27, 2026, the Lane County Board of Commissioners held a work session with Travel Lane County staff to review exploratory findings related to a potential indoor multiuse sports facility and to discuss possible next steps in the predevelopment process.

The discussion focused on what has been learned during the exploratory phase, the distinction between exploratory analysis and decision-grade feasibility and what additional information would be required to support future public decisions. Commissioners discussed the need for site-specific evaluation, verified cost estimates, operational modeling and integrated analysis of ownership, operations, site and funding scenarios.

As part of that conversation, Travel Lane County staff discussed a not-to-exceed cost of up to $450,000 for decision-grade feasibility work. This work would consist of professional and technical analysis only, including site-specific evaluation, construction cost verification, operational and ownership modeling and integrated feasibility analysis. The cost was discussed as a shared effort, proposed to be split equally among participating partners.

The work session also addressed site readiness for evaluation. Travel Lane County staff noted that multiple locations across Lane County have been screened during the exploratory phase and that, at this time, the former Royal Caribbean property is the only site identified as sufficiently evaluation-ready to support decision-grade feasibility analysis, while remaining open to other sites should they become ready.

In addition, the Board discussed a potential change to County policy that would allow Travel Lane County to use Transient Lodging Tax funds for capital and predevelopment purposes, which would be required for any future feasibility or facility development work to proceed.

What this means:

Work sessions are designed for information sharing and discussion. No decisions were made, no site was selected and no funding, site access or capital commitments were authorized as part of this meeting. Discussion of potential costs, sites or policy changes does not represent approval to proceed.

What happens next:

County staff are expected to return to the Board of County Commissioners with a recommended path forward, including whether to authorize changes related to capital spending and whether to proceed with decision-grade feasibility work. Any such actions would be subject to a future public vote.

What we learned:

The Travel Lane County Board discussed a conditional agreement related to due diligence on the former Royal Caribbean property. This discussion did not authorize Travel Lane County to enter an agreement or select a site. Without County approval, Travel Lane County cannot use Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) funds for capital or predevelopment work.

Why this matters:

Evaluating potential sites involves time and expense. The discussion was procedural, aimed only at positioning Travel Lane County to evaluate a site and perform due diligence, if the county authorizes TLT funds for capital or predevelopment work in the future. This authority discussion reflects the existing funding structure and capital limitations established through prior county funding decisions.

Therefore, this discussion does not represent a project decision. 

What happens next:

Travel Lane County continues to evaluate multiple potential locations. The organization is scheduled to appear before the Board of County Commissioners on January 27, 2026, to discuss capital authority and next steps in the predevelopment process.

What we learned:

Analysis by Sports Facilities Companies indicates the region would need the equivalent of eight indoor basketball courts or sixteen volleyball courts for a tournament-capable facility, which would also provide adequate space for other sports and activities, such as wrestling, cheerleading and more.

Why this matters:

Understanding facility requirements helps inform site evaluations, layout considerations and operational planning.

What happens next:

This information will be used in ongoing due diligence, evaluations and feasibility analysis.

What we learned:

A local construction contractor is working to provide cost estimates for both scenarios: new construction or the remodel of an existing site.

Why this matters:

Independent, local cost estimates ensure accuracy to help inform decision-making.

What happens next:

An updated cost estimate is expected by late January.

What we learned:

Travel Lane County continues to evaluate multiple potential locations and is coordinating early due diligence with site owners and partners.

Why this matters:

Understanding feasibility across several sites is a key part of responsible predevelopment work.

What happens next:

Additional details will be shared as zoning and traffic information becomes available for sites under consideration.