Financing the Show Low Sports and Event Center
Summary
The city's biggest capital project now carries a $56.4 million programming-stage estimate, up roughly $5 million, largely because the six-court gym grew to fit 12 volleyball courts for tournament play. Designers will look at trimming the oversized kitchen and squeezing the building in schematic design, and the Council indicated it wants to build it right the first time rather than cut corners.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 28, 2026.
Impact analysis
A $56.4 million total project estimate, up about $5 million from the original concept.
Residents, youth sports leagues and visiting tournament families get a modern events facility intended to make Show Low a sports-tourism destination.
Taxpayers bear the higher cost if the budget keeps climbing as the design advances.
Mentions & discussions (4)
City Council - Oct 28, 2026
The council approved the financing structure — excise tax revenue bonds — for the roughly $60 million Show Low Sports and Event Center. Critics say it triples the city's debt, and one resident asked for a public vote; three councilmembers wanted legal review first but were outvoted.
General - Sep 15, 2026
The city is figuring out how to pay for its $56.85 million sports and event center, with roughly $48-49 million expected to be borrowed through a 20-year bond backed by sales tax revenue. How much the city borrows — and at what interest rate — will shape debt payments for years to come.
City Council - Mar 24, 2026
The schematic design estimate for the six-court events center rose to about $58 million — roughly $5 million in bumps over the project's life. Councilmembers pushed back hard and asked for a scaled-back version targeting $50 million, returning in about four weeks.
City Council - Jan 6, 2026
The city's biggest capital project now carries a $56.4 million programming-stage estimate, up roughly $5 million, largely because the six-court gym grew to fit 12 volleyball courts for tournament play. Designers will look at trimming the oversized kitchen and squeezing the building in schematic design, and the Council indicated it wants to build it right the first time rather than cut corners.
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