Alexandria officials presented a proposal Tuesday night to replace the Great Waves Waterpark at Cameron Run Regional Park with a year‑round indoor sports and events venue. The 210,000‑square‑foot Alexandria Sports and Events Complex at Cameron Run would be the city’s largest event space and is projected to open in 2031 if the $107 million public‑funded project receives council approval.
Vision and Funding
Mayor Alyia Gaskins described the plan as more than a new facility, calling it an “opportunity to create a vibrant, accessible year‑round destination for indoor recreation and events, both for visitors and tourists, but more importantly for Alexandrians.” The proposal relies on a public‑private partnership: a local nonprofit, ALX Sports, would lease the complex and contribute a minimum of $10 million, with $4 million required before any city financing is released.
Economic Impact
City staff say the complex could generate $160 million in tax revenue over a 30‑year horizon, a dramatic increase from the $11 million projected from the water park’s operations. Revenue would stem from rent, event fees, and increased hotel and restaurant activity as visitors attend regional and national tournaments.
Facilities and Community Spaces
The indoor venue would host courts and turf for volleyball, basketball, soccer, pickleball, field hockey, lacrosse, and track. Around 50,000 square feet of community space would accommodate walking and running trails, an amphitheater, a tot lot, and a dog park. Existing park assets—including the active lake, recreational area, and animal shelter—would remain untouched.
Partnerships and Oversight
The Alexandria Soccer Association will create a new nonprofit, ALX Sports, to operate and manage the site. The nonprofit has agreed to host a minimum number of regional and national events, and third‑party tournament organizers will be required to use designated hotel blocks and on‑site food and beverage services. Financial penalties are built into the agreement if these obligations are not met.
Public Input and Timeline
The city will hold a series of public engagement sessions, beginning Thursday, to gather resident feedback. After the input period, officials will finalize a term sheet for council consideration. A council vote is anticipated for January 12.
Regional Competition
Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William counties and the District of Columbia are also exploring similar facilities. Alexandria’s leadership says moving quickly is essential to keep the project competitive and retain local talent and sports businesses.
While NOVA Parks, which has operated the water park for nearly half a century, expressed disappointment at the shift, it pledged to continue its partnership with the city at other historic sites such as Carlyle House Historic Park and Winkler Botanical Preserve.
Supporters argue the new complex will keep Alexandrian families from traveling outside the city for indoor sports, strengthen the local economy, and provide a gathering place for community events. Critics, primarily from neighboring jurisdictions, worry about the cost and potential traffic impacts, but the city’s analysis suggests the long‑term tax benefits outweigh the initial investment.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
