Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.A
Meeting Date: January 28, 2026
From: Anne V. Ambrose, Interim City Manager
Title: Cathedral City Community Center Feasibility Study Update by Group 4 Architecture
RECOMMENDATION:
To receive an update and presentation on the Cathedral City Community Center Feasibility Study and provide input and direction on the preferred site and building program options.
BACKGROUND:
Part of the City’s 5-Year Strategic Plan is to conduct a cost and site analysis for a future community center.
In November 2024, City voters passed Measure W, which is forecasted to generate 5 million dollars annually, with 40% planned for the construction and operation of the future center.
In July 2025, the City Council voted to approve Group 4 Architecture & Research (Group 4) as the consultant to conduct the community center feasibility study. Since then, City staff has been working in concert with Group 4 to conduct the study.
In October 2025, Group 4 provided an informative in-depth presentation to the City Council on the status of the study, including sites that were being evaluated and the evaluation criteria. At that meeting, the City Council added two additional sites for staff review.
DISCUSSION:
Group 4 will provide an updated presentation on the following topics:
1. Schedule and Workplan
2. Project Engagement
3. Building and Site Program
4. Site Options
5. Site and Program Strategies
6. Financial Analysis
a. Capital Cost
b. Operational Cost
7. Discussion + Evaluation
8. Next Steps
As part of “Next Steps”, staff is requesting City Council provide input and direction on their preferred site and building program options (based on evaluation and analysis of the project goals/criteria matrix) and on the operational and capital cost analysis.
The study is projected to be completed in January 2026, with plans to brief the final results to City Council in February 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal B – Community Investment
Action B-10 – Conduct site and cost analysis for our Community Recreation Center.
ATTACHMENTS:
None