Alexilia Council Considers $107M Indoor Sports Arena at Cameron Run

Alexandria city leaders are proposing a $107 million public investment to replace the Great Waves Waterpark at Cameron Run Regional Park with a new indoor sports and events complex. The project, titled the Alexandria Sports and Events Complex at Cameron Run, would become the largest event venue in the city. City officials argue the new facility will generate enough tax revenue from rent, events, and hotel stays to pay off the debt associated with construction.

The proposal follows a recent decision by the Alexandria City Council to extend the lease for the site to NOVA Parks for ten years, ending in 2028. The city-owned property spans more than 25 acres and currently includes an active lake, recreational areas, and an animal shelter. The new plan leaves those specific facilities unchanged but replaces the water park, mini golf, and batting cage operations previously managed by NOVA Parks.

City Council members heard the vision on Tuesday night. Mayor Alyia Gaskins described the project as a year-round destination for indoor recreation and community gathering. She emphasized that the goal is to create accessible spaces for youth sports and residents, noting that previous analysis showed many water park guests were visitors from Maryland and surrounding jurisdictions rather than local residents.

Stephanie Landrum, president and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, presented the financial case for the change. She stated that the water park would generate $11 million in local tax revenue over a 30-year period. In contrast, the new sports complex is projected to bring $160 million in revenue over the same timeframe. The city plans to use this increased income to service the debt from the $107 million public funding allocation.

Operations would be handled by ALX Sports, a new nonprofit created by the Alexandria Soccer Association. The group would lease the publicly owned facility and commit to a minimum contribution of $10 million. Landrum specified that the nonprofit must contribute $4 million before any city financing is issued. The agreement includes financial penalties if the group fails to host a minimum number of regional and national events or if tournament attendees do not use designated hotel and dining services.

Justin Wilson, executive director of NOVA Parks, said in a statement that the agency had hoped to invest in the site for decades. He noted that NOVA Parks has operated Cameron Run for nearly half a century and committed to collaborating with the city as it concludes its stewardship of the location. The agency plans to maintain its partnership with Alexandria at Carlyle House Historic Park and Winkler Botanical Preserve.

The proposed 210,000-square-foot building would feature turf and courts for volleyball, basketball, soccer, pickleball, field hockey, lacrosse, and track. Surrounding the complex are 50,000 square feet of new community spaces, which may include walking trails, an amphitheater, a playground, and a dog park. Tommy Park, CEO of the Alexandria Soccer Association, said families have long had to travel outside the city to find indoor practice space.

City officials plan a series of public engagement sessions to gather feedback, with the first scheduled for Thursday. The agencies involved will spend the coming months finalizing a term sheet for the city council to vote on. A vote on the proposal may be scheduled for January 12. Landrum stated that nearby counties and D.C. are considering similar facilities, so the city aims to move quickly to secure what it considers the most competitive site in the region.

The complex is targeted to open in 2031 if approved. Landrum noted that the city had been looking for ways to help local sports groups grow and discourage them from moving their businesses to competing jurisdictions. The deal structure includes specific requirements for third-party entities organizing tournaments to use local hotel blocks and food and beverage services.