Alexandria proposes $117 million sports complex at Cameron Run Regional Park

Alexandria city officials are considering a proposal to transform Cameron Run Regional Park into a year-round sports and events complex, according to FOX 5 DC. The plan would end nearly 50 years of park operations by NOVA Parks at the site.

The proposed facility would be 210,000 square feet and is estimated to cost $117 million. The city would issue $107 million in bonds, while a newly formed nonprofit, ALX Sports, would raise $10 million and manage the complex under a 30-year lease, FOX 5 DC reported.

Officials project the development could generate about $160 million for city services over the lease term, including $20 million earmarked for affordable housing, FOX 5 DC said. The current NOVA Parks operating agreement runs through 2028, with some park attractions closing sooner.

The Great Waves Waterpark, batting cages, and miniature golf course are expected to remain open through Labor Day 2027, and the park's seasonal holiday event will conclude its final run on January 3, FOX 5 DC noted. The city is seeking public feedback and will hold a virtual community meeting via Zoom.

WTOP added that the new complex, named Alexandria Sports and Events Complex at Cameron Run, could open in 2031. The venue would become the largest event space in Alexandria and is intended to serve both visitors and residents with indoor recreation, youth sports, and community gatherings.

NOVA Parks has operated Cameron Run for nearly five decades and expressed hope to continue their partnership, but the city is pursuing an alternate vision, WTOP reported. The city-owned property includes more than 25 acres with a lake, recreational area, and animal shelter, which are not part of the proposed changes.

The Alexandria City Council extended NOVA Parks' lease through 2028, but the new proposal would end that agreement and shift management to ALX Sports, according to WTOP.