CITY COUNCIL
February 25, 2026
CATHEDRAL
CITY
COMMUNITY
CENTER
FEASIBILITY
STUDY
1. Project Overview
Planning Standards
Community + Stakeholder Input
2. Building Program + Phasing
3. Site Options
4. Site and Program Strategies
5. Financial Analysis
6. Discussion + Next Steps
AGENDA
NATIONAL PLANNING STANDARDS
CATHEDRAL
CITY
NATIONWIDE
1 Community Center
per 31,600 Residents*
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST
1 Community Center
per 44,700 Residents*
*Not including childcare, CBO, senior center space
~52,500
residents
NRPA’s 2024 Agency Performance Review – Indoor Park Facilities
PLANNING STANDARDS
~0.75-2 SF/Resident
Typical Target for Indoor Community Facilities
TYPICAL MODERN FACILITY SIZES:
Community and recreation center:
30,000 – 45,000 SF
Full-service community/senior center:
20,000 – 35,000 SF
THEMES FROM COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Accessible & Inclusive “Third Place”
Multi-Generational Programming & Social Connection
Youth & Teen Focused Spaces
Indoor Recreation, Fitness & Sports
Arts, Culture & Performance
Education, Skills & Workforce
Events & Rentals
Basic Needs
ROUND 1 SUMMARY (~1,000 PARTICIPANTS)
GOALS FOR A NEW COMMUNITY CENTER
0 100 200 300 400 500
EXHIBIT ART
FORMAL EVENTS
INNOVATING
OTHER
INFORMAL SOCIALIZING
FINE ARTS
TEEN PROGRAMMING
LIFELONG LEARNING
EARLY CHILDHOOD REC
PERFORMANCE
DANCE
DIGITAL ARTS/TECH
THEATER
EXERCISE/YOGA
MUSIC
FITNESS / CARDIO
CRAFTS + DIY
EXERCISE/COURT SPORTS
CULINARY ARTS
GAMING
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Adult Non-Resident Adult Teen Youth
WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES?
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
OTHER
MEETING/CONFERENCE
ENRICHMENT CLASSROOM
MULTIGEN LOUNGE
PERFORMANCE SPACE
LOBBY/RECEPTION
MAKER SPACE
EARLY CHILDHOOD REC
MUSICAL ARTS STUDIO
COMMUNITY HALL/KITCHEN
ARTS/CRAFTS STUDIO
FITNESS/DANCE STUDIO
TECHNOLOGY LAB
TEEN ZONE
GYMNASIUM
COMMUNITY SPACES
Adult Non-Resident Adult Teen Youth
ROUND 1 SUMMARY
STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPANTS
SCHOOLS/COLLEGE
James Workman Middle School Julio Omier
CHURCHES
Northgate Church Pastor Joe Zanayed
Northgate Church Kathy DeRosa
St. Louis King Catholic Church Fr. Jose Antonio Orozco
Denise
PROGRAMS + EVENTS
S.C.R.A.P Gallery Karen Riley
Tools for Tomorrow Andrea Hecht
Mary Pickford Theater Ted Hane
PERFORMING ARTS
Cathedral City High School Band
Boosters Matthew Howe
Coachella Valley Repertory Adam Karsten
Coachella Valley Repertory Jennifer Hankinson
SENIOR CENTER + MEASURE W
SUPPORTERS/HISPANIC PARTNERS
Measure W Supporter Eri Nox
Measure W supporter Shelley Kaplan
Cathedral City Senior Center Geoff Corbin
Cathedral City Senior Center Victor Ide
Hispanic Community Member Josie Diaz
LIBRARY
Riverside County Michael Franklin
Riverside County Erik Sydow
Riverside County Library System Rebeckah Ross
Riverside County Library System Kristin Lehigh
Riverside County Library System Sue Doran
Riverside County Library System Heidi Dolamore
Cathedral City Library Mary Gazdik
BOYS + GIRLS CLUB
Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral
City Scott Robinson
TRIBAL
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Margaret Park
SELECT COMMISSIONERS
Planning Commission Danny Lee
Planning Commission Danielle Mead
Parks And Community Events (PACE)
Commission Erin Hyland
Parks And Community Events (PACE)
Commission Antonio Baciu
FINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT
Desert Recreation District Gabriel Martin
Desert Recreation District Scott Sear
Desert Recreation District Troy Strange
Desert Recreation District Ken Seumalo
Desert Recreation District Ana Velasquez
Desert Recreation District Maureen Gessel
Desert Recreation District Cynthia Morquecho
STAKEHOLDER INPUT: NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES
THEMES FROM STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH
Inclusive: Affordable, Bilingual & Sensory -Friendly
Multigenerational Social Community Hub
Responsive to Hot Climate
Locally -Inspired Landmark
Joint-Use Opportunities with Library, Senior Center & Other Programs Central & Accessible Location; 1 Consolidated Site Preferred Flexible, Rentable Event Space with Kitchen
Programs, Makerspace, Childcare, Arts & Performance
Indoor Recreation, Fitness & Sports with Storage & Outdoor Amenities Resiliency/Resource Center, Food Bank, Clinic, Pet Areas ROUND 1 SUMMARY
BUILDING PROGRAM
LOBBY/
RECEPTION
COMMUNITY
EVENT HALL +
KITCHEN
DANCE/FITNESS
STUDIO
GYMNASIUM ENRICHMENT
CLASSROOM
ARTS +
CRAFTS
TEEN LOUNGE
DRAFT
OPTIONAL
ENHANCEMENTS
PROGRAM PHASING OPTIONS – DRAFT
FULL BUILD-OUT ~53,000 SF
~14,000-41,000 SF** TO POTENTIALLY
INCLUDE RECREATION SPACES SUCH AS:
~4,500-25,500 SF* TO POTENTIALLY
INCLUDE COMMUNITY SPACES SUCH AS:
COMMUNITY/RECREATION CENTER BASE PROGRAM PHASING STRATEGY *4,500 SF WOULD ONLY INCLUDE COMMUNITY
HALL + SUPPORT SPACES SIMILAR TO THOUSAND
PALMS CENTER
**14,000 SF WOULD ONLY INCLUDE GYM +
SUPPORT SPACES
POTENTIAL SITES
EVALUATION CRITERIA
EVALUATION CRITERIA DEFINITIONS
AVAILABILITY (*PURCHASE
REQ.)
Is the land available to be developed or used for a community center without negatively impacting existing uses or businesses?
CAPACITY
Does the site have the capacity to accommodate the building, parking, and site amenities being planned? Is there capacity for potential future expansion? Is there an opportunity to develop shared parking in order to conserve resources? ZONING Does the zoning code allows a community center on site? COST
What are the estimated development costs for land (purchase or lease if necessary), site infrastructure (sewer, water, power, roads), site entitlement costs (CEQA), and site and building construction costs?
ACCESSIBILITY Is the site easy to get to, not only by car, but by biking, walking, and public transit? How is site parking/circulation?
ECONOMIC IMPACT
What potential is there for the new community center to act as a catalyst, promoting new growth, invigorating the existing neighborhood, aiding the City’s economic goals?
SYNERGY/CONNECTIVITY
Is there opportunity for the community center to enhance the community and be a dynamic amenity for residents? Does the site have good connectivity to other community services, such as schools, commercial areas, parks/rec opportunities, and residential areas? Does it have a civic presence? Is it located in a high traffic area? OUTDOOR AMENITIES Does the site support development of outdoor amenities and good indoor-outdoor connections?
PREREQUISITES
EVALUATION
CRITERIA #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9
AVAILABILITY **
CAPACITY *** ?
ZONING **** **** ****
COST $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$
ACCESSIBILITY
DRIVING/PARKING *****
BIKING/WALKING
PUBLIC TRANSIT
ECONOMIC IMPACT
SYNERGY/CONNECTIVITY
SCHOOLS
COMMERCIAL
PARKS/REC
RESIDENTIAL
OUTDOOR AMENITIES
Great!
Potentially Challenging
Challenging
PREREQUISITES
** Grant funding does not allow field space to be reduced. *** City owns but leases adjacent property. Potential to reallocate land for expansion. **** Would need to amend current allowed uses.
***** Parking issues for peak events need to be solved.
Old Walmart Old Burlington By
Amphitheater
With Library* By Salvation
Army*
By Senior
Center*
Uptown
Village
By Northgate
Church
Dennis Keat
Soccer Park*
*City-owned
SITE EVALUATION
*City-owned
DRAFT
New
info/partner
opportunity
City
Council
interest
Cathedral City Community Center Feasibility Study PMT #9 11/4/25 POTENTIAL SITE OPTIONS: #1
EVALUATION CRITERIA #1 COMMENTS
AVAILABILITY Contingent on parcel being available to lease CAPACITY More than necessary: total bldg. size ~117,600 SF SITE Parking spaces: 888; 12.3 acres
BUILDING Building: available to lease ~24,000
FUTURE EXPANSION Possibly with additional lease space ZONING Community Center allowed (PCC, General Commercial) COST
LAND $$$
INFRASTRUCTURE $$$ Parking lot would need to be improved CONSTRUCTION COSTS $/$$$ Insufficient info about whether moderate or major reno
ACCESSIBILITY
DRIVING/PARKING On Date Palm Drive, plenty of parking BIKING/WALKING How to improve the site to activate it as a destination + make it more attractive?
PUBLIC TRANSIT SunLine
ECONOMIC IMPACT West side of Date Palm commercial development in planning, development north of I10 in the future
SYNERGY/CONNECTIVITY
SCHOOLS Proximity to schools
COMMERCIAL Proximity to commercial area
PARKS/REC OPPORTUNITIES No existing parks/rec for synergy opportunities but need RESIDENTIAL Closer to northern population, new developments, but not the most central location
OUTDOOR AMENITIES Paved parking lot without outdoor amenity options
PREREQUISITES
Great!
Potentially Challenging
Challenging
Cathedral City Community Center Feasibility Study PMT #9 11/4/25 POTENTIAL SITE OPTIONS: #2
EVALUATION CRITERIA #2 COMMENTS
AVAILABILITY Contingent on parcel being leased or purchased CAPACITY More than necessary
SITE Parking spaces: 316; 6 acres
BUILDING Building size: ~80,580 SF (would only use portion) FUTURE EXPANSION Possibly with additional lease space ZONING Community Center allowed (PCC, General Commercial) COST
LAND $$$
INFRASTRUCTURE $$$ Parking lot would need to be improved CONSTRUCTION COSTS $/$$$ Insufficient info about whether moderate or major reno
ACCESSIBILITY
DRIVING/PARKING Near major transit corridors, plenty of parking BIKING/WALKING Planned but no existing bikeways, large parking lots less conducive to walkability but other amenities nearby
PUBLIC TRANSIT SunLine
ECONOMIC IMPACT
SYNERGY/CONNECTIVITY
SCHOOLS Proximity to schools
COMMERCIAL Proximity to commercial area but cannabis facility + existing gym nearby
PARKS/REC OPPORTUNITIES Closer to Senior Center but still relatively far, no other parks or rec opportunities nearby
RESIDENTIAL Less central location
OUTDOOR AMENITIES Paved parking lot without outdoor amenity options
PREREQUISITES
EVALUATION
CRITERA
Great!
Potentially Challenging
Challenging
Cathedral City Community Center Feasibility Study PMT #9 11/4/25 POTENTIAL SITE OPTIONS: #4
EVALUATION CRITERIA #4 COMMENTS
AVAILABILITY City owns the land, County operates the library, Big League Dreams maintains landscape + parking
CAPACITY
SITE Library underused, space for addition, may need to address parking limitations during peak events (7.89 ac) BUILDING ~20,000 SF existing building?
FUTURE EXPANSION Will require reconfiguration of site ZONING
COST
LAND $$$
INFRASTRUCTURE $$$
CONSTRUCTION COSTS $/$$$ Moderate interior remodel + new construction for addition?
ACCESSIBILITY
DRIVING/PARKING Existing parking: 285; Parking issues for peak events need to be solved
BIKING/WALKING
PUBLIC TRANSIT
ECONOMIC IMPACT Consistent with site’s current community uses
SYNERGY/CONNECTIVITY
SCHOOLS Close to high school with Desert Recreation District (DRD) swim program + middle school
COMMERCIAL Some shops + restaurants nearby
PARKS/REC OPPORTUNITIES Adjacent to Big League Dreams + library RESIDENTIAL
OUTDOOR AMENITIES
PREREQUISITES
Great!
Potentially Challenging
Challenging
Cathedral City Community Center Feasibility Study PMT #9 11/4/25 POTENTIAL SITE OPTIONS: #5
EVALUATION CRITERIA #5 COMMENTS
AVAILABILITY City-owned; surplus lands process?
CAPACITY
SITE North site 3.55 acres, south site 2.39 acres
BUILDING
FUTURE EXPANSION
ZONING Community Center allowed (R-1, OS-P , Low Density Res.) COST
LAND $$$
INFRASTRUCTURE $$$ Undeveloped
CONSTRUCTION COSTS $$$
ACCESSIBILITY
DRIVING/PARKING Not central location
BIKING/WALKING Residential area
PUBLIC TRANSIT Nearest bus stop 0.5 mi away
ECONOMIC IMPACT Would take away from plan for affordable housing on site
SYNERGY/CONNECTIVITY
SCHOOLS Near schools
COMMERCIAL No commercial areas nearby
PARKS/REC OPPORTUNITIES Near Salvation Army
RESIDENTIAL Embedded in residential neighborhood, near northern population + new developments but not central location
OUTDOOR AMENITIES Sufficient capacity on north site for some outdoor amenities
PREREQUISITES
Great!
Potentially Challenging
Challenging
SITE CAPACITY STUDIES
SITE #4 LIBRARY – Retrofit + Expansion
Date Palm Dr. ~15,000 SF
LIBRARY
stormwater
retention basin
shared
parking
opportunity?
shared
parking
opportunity?
EXISTING
PARKING
(~95 SPACES)
Dave Kelley Rd.
steep
slope
down
~17,000 SF
COMMUNITY/REC
CENTER (12,000
SF ADDITION)
~95
~98
~22
~65
Parking Type Existing
Spaces
Planned
Building SF
ITE #
Spaces/
1,000 SF
# Spaces
Needed
Proposed
Shared
Parking?
Library ~109 ~15,000 SF 2.35 ~35.5
Community/Rec
Center
– ~17,000 SF 2.07 ~35.5
PROJECT
TOTAL
~109 ~71
Big League
Dreams
~171 ~150-200?*
SITE TOTAL ~280 ~221-271 ~280
* Not including for big tournaments
expanded
parking
opportunity?
Date Palm Dr. ~15,000 SF
LIBRARY
~17,000 SF
COMMUNITY/REC
CENTER (12,000
SF ADDITION)stormwater
retention
basin
shared
parking
opportunity
?
shared
parking
opportunity?
Dave Kelley Rd.
steep
slope
down
~125
-150
~98
~22
~65
Parking Type Existing
Spaces
Planned
Building SF
ITE #
Spaces/
1,000 SF
# Spaces
Needed
Proposed
Shared
Parking?
Library ~109 ~15,000 SF 2.35 ~35.5
Community/Rec
Center
– ~40,000 SF 2.07 ~83
Gym – ~13,000 SF 4.73 ~61.5
PROJECT
TOTAL
~109 ~180
Big League
Dreams
~171 ~150-200?*
SITE TOTAL ~280 ~330-380 ~337-387
* Not including for big tournaments
PARKING
~17
~10
Managed parking for events
leveraging high school parking
CC/LIBRARY/BIG LEAGUE DREAMS PARKING
~13,000 SF
GYM
~23,000 SF
COMMUNITY/
REC CENTER
(2-STORY)
DRAFT
SITE CAPACITY STUDIES
PARKING
~25,500 SF
COMMUNITY/
REC CENTER
PARKING
~27,500 SF
COMMUNITY/
REC CENTER +
GYM
PARKING
53,000 SF
COMMUNITY/
REC CENTER +
GYM
PHASE WITHOUT GYM: ~25,500 SF
1-STORY COMMUNITY/REC CENTER
PHASE WITH GYM: ~27,500 SF
1-STORY COMMUNITY/REC CENTER
FULL BUILDOUT: ~53,000 SF
2-STORY COMMUNITY/REC CENTER
SITE #5 BY SALVATION ARMY – All New Construction
2-story building and parking fit on
site; outdoor spaces are
challenged; phased approach with
2-story construction is challenging
Vega Rd.
Modalo Rd. Modalo Rd. Modalo Rd.
Vega Rd. Vega Rd.
SALVATION ARMY UPDATE
~6,000
SF gym
New opportunity:
possibility to share
gym with the
Salvation Army.
CITY SITE
SALVATION ARMY
SITE #1: OLD WALMART FOR SALE
COLUMNS
SITE #2: OLD BURLINGTON FOR SALE
SITE #2: OLD BURLINGTON
High school basketball court size (per National
Federation of State High School Associations)
84’ x 50’
Existing columns obstruct clear area
required for sports courts. Eliminating
columns would require significant
structural renovation and budget.
COLUMNS
Same issue with column grids at site option
#1 and #2 (old Walmart and old Burlington)
COST MODELS
HOW CAN THE CITY GET THE MOST VALUE FOR THE COMMUNITY?
Preliminary Draft Estimates
Sitework for 17,000 SF building
Sitework for 27,500 SF building
Sitework for 53,000 SF building
FINANCIAL CAPACITY: OPERATIONAL COST 2023 DATA
THOUSAND PALMS
CENTER: 4,480 SF
PALM DESERT COMMUNITY
CENTER: 22,560 SF
INDIO COMMUNITY
CENTER: 33,634 SF
1. Revenues $535,607 1. Revenues $520,736 1. Revenues
$2,407,491
2. Expenditures $595,206 2. Expenditures $1,105,799 2. Expenditures $1,526,997 Net Revenue
(Over/Under)
$59,598 Net Revenue
(Over/Under)
$585,063 Net Revenue
(Over/Under)
$880,494
Operational $/SF $13/SF Operational $/SF $26/SF Operational $/SF $26/SF Notes: Notes: Notes:
a. Thousand Palms collected a
Special Assessment of
$438,027. Without including the
Special Assessment revenue their
net revenue would be $494,626.
a. Indio collected a Special
Assessment of $1,535,245.
Without including the Special
Assessment revenue their net
revenue would be
$654,751.
b. $/SF for operational costs
without the Special Assessment
revenue is $110/SF.
b. $/SF for operational costs
without the Special Assessment
revenue is $19/SF.
Escalating 2023$’s to 2027, using 4% per annum would result in a $/SF range of $20 -$23/SF for larger Centers with higher revenue, more hours, and efficiency of scale, and up to $125/SF for smaller facilities with limited hours, less revenue, and similar overhead cost/SF.
FINANCIAL CAPACITY: CAPITAL COST
Budget:
Current Measure W funding projections outline:
~$1M/year community center operations
~$1M/year debt service
In the current bond marketplace, a 20-year debt schedule, will generate ~$13M capital
Capacity/size:
With initial capital/funding @ ~$13M :
New Construction + Renovation @ City -Owned Site ~10,000-14,000 SF New Construction @ City -Owned Site ~8,000-9,000 SF
New Construction + Land Purchase = ~5,800-7,100 SF
Renovation + Land Lease = ~5,500–9,000 SF
Options that provide
the most space/$ for
recreation programs
and services. .
CAPITAL COST ANALYSIS
Considerations:
Review potential sites based on financial capacity
o Land acquisition and building costs considerably higher than City-owned properties
o With budgetary constraints, a City-owned site may be more economically feasible
Ultimate need for square footage cannot be met with Measure W funds only; further assessment on financing options and other funding sources necessary; consider potential for future phase/expansion
Land: need to consider land acquisition or lease costs o Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) need to be evaluated o Consider outdoor space opportunities
Library Site:
City-owned land + building
Library can operate in less square footage per stakeholder conversations Big League Dreams operator is pursuing a partnership with a vendor specializing in national-level individual player showcases and team tournaments (and a second round of investment/funding)
Opportunities for shared parking; more parking required Repurpose a portion of the site’s landscaping
Salvation Army Site :
Possible use of Salvation Army gym could meet some of the community need until financial analysis is completed on new permanent site
POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES
• Grants (resiliency/resource center, photovoltaics, other…) • Other potential funding sources (Environmental Fund,…) • Public-public partnerships
• Philanthropy, donor program
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION
Accept Cathedral City Community Center Feasibility
Study.
Next steps:
• Seek further direction from Council on desired site(s). • Staff to conduct further analysis of financing options for a future center and bring back options for the Council’s consideration.
THANK YOU!