The City of Turlock is taking steps toward building a $30 million multi-purpose sports complex on land that would be leased from the state-owned Stanislaus County Fairgrounds.

The project, with a projected $55 million economic output for the region, according to one feasibility report, would be located on acreage near the intersection of Canal Drive and Soderquist Road — the fairgrounds’ west parking lot.

The complex would sit adjacent to the Turlock Sports Park, which is currently home to two outdoor basketball courts and six outdoor soccer fields.

The city has yet to commit any funding to the project.

“We love our sports here in Turlock,” said Anthony Sims, the city’s economic development director. “Pedretti Park is packed every weekend, we have travel volleyball leagues, multiple PAL leagues, just to name a few. The problem is you have to leave our region for travel sports tournaments.”

A new sports complex is seen as a hub that would draw travel-league tournaments and, with them, friends and families of the competitors, Sims said.

The feasibility study, conducted by Victus Advisors of Park City, Utah, gave Turlock a top rating.

“According to their study, the proposed sports complex would bring 750,000 unique visitors to area,” said Sims. “The food and beverage industry would see a 39 percent increase, lodging would increase by 9 percent and retail shopping by 18 percent.”

As well as hosting tournaments and city recreation leagues, the city envisions a public-use component for the facilities.

“This has the opportunity to be a real economic driver,” said Sims. “I’m excited about the whole thing. We feel like there’s a collaborative spirit with all the players at the table.”

One of the players at the table is Opportunity Stanislaus, a non-profit, public-private organization that promotes business in the county. Another player is the Stanislaus County Fair Board.

The city has met with fair board members to gauge their interest in collaborating on the project.

The fair board’s primary concern, thus far, is making sure its annual 10-day summer fair, as well as its annual swap meet, and other popular events, are not adversely affected by the project.

"This is going to be a three-legged stool,” said fair board member Ray Souza. “It’s got to benefit the city, it has to benefit the youth of the community, and it has to benefit the fair. Without one of those three, it doesn’t work.”

While the board is cautious, it understands that the potential financial windfall may be too good to pass up. 

“Every year we have to go out and find money and it’s getting tougher and tougher,” said Souza. “The only reason we’re looking at this is that it provides long-term security for the fairgrounds.”

The sports complex would be home to eight basketball courts — convertible to 16 volleyball courts — and two indoor soccer fields. There would also be two to three outdoor soccer fields. Courts for wildly popular pickleball are also being considered.

“This project checks all the boxes,” said Sims. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but it can be a win-win for everybody.”