New Community Center Project

Community Engagement Opportunities

Residents are invited to participate in upcoming engagement opportunities as part of the Community Center Master Plan process.

Pop-Up #1 – Youth Basketball Game

• Date: Saturday, January 31
• Time: 9am – 1pm
• Location: De Soto High School

Community Survey

• Dates: Early – Mid February 2026
• Format: Online survey (link will be shared through City communications)

Pop-Up #2 – Pickleball

• Date: Tuesday, February 3
• Time: 8:30am – 11am
• Location: De Soto Community Center

Pop-Up #3 – High School Basketball Game Night

• Date: Friday, February 13
• Time: 7pm – 9pm
• Location: De Soto High School

Public Meeting #1 (In Person)

• Date: Late February – Early March 2026 (TBD)
• Location: TBD

Community Center Feasibility Study

As part of earlier feasibility work, the City partnered with Wiese Research Group (WRG) to gather community feedback in 2025 and understand interest in a potential community center.

The survey reached more than 630 households in De Soto and the surrounding trade area and helped establish a baseline understanding of:

• Overall interest in a community center
• Desired types of amenities
• General preferences related to funding approaches

Results showed strong interest in indoor recreation and wellness amenities, including fitness spaces, walking tracks, pools, and gymnasium space. Survey responses also highlighted the importance of cost considerations and long-term sustainability.

These results helped inform the decision to move forward with the Community Center Master Plan. As part of the current phase, the City is conducting additional engagement—including a follow-up survey—to further refine priorities, usage expectations, and design considerations.

Community Center Feasibility Study Survey Results

Financial Pro Forma Analysis

As part of earlier planning efforts, the City reviewed a preliminary financial pro forma to better understand the potential scale, operating considerations, and long-term sustainability factors associated with a community center.

The pro forma provided a high-level planning reference, including estimated construction costs, operating expenses, and potential revenue assumptions based on a specific facility model.

Key takeaways from this analysis helped establish:

• A general understanding of the potential size and complexity of a community center
• The importance of balancing amenities, operations, and long-term financial sustainability
• The need to further refine assumptions through the master planning process

As the Community Center Master Plan moves forward, financial considerations will continue to be evaluated alongside community priorities, conceptual design options, and potential site locations. Any future cost estimates or funding discussions would be developed as part of later phases and shared through a public process.

Potential Sites

As part of the Community Center Master Plan process, the City is evaluating potential site locations that could support a future community center.

Site evaluation considers factors such as access, infrastructure, surrounding land uses, long-term growth, and overall feasibility. Multiple locations may be reviewed during the master planning phase, and no site has been selected.

One area under consideration includes land near K-10, due to accessibility and proximity to future growth. The City is also coordinating with key stakeholders, including the De Soto School District, as part of ongoing discussions related to site feasibility and shared community needs.

Potential site options will be refined as part of the master plan and presented alongside conceptual design options for community and City Council review.

Next Steps

The Community Center project will continue to move forward in phases, with community input informing each step.

Current Phase: Master Planning & Concept Development

The City is working with Clark & Enersen to develop a Community Center Master Plan. This phase includes:

• Community engagement through surveys, pop-up events, and public meetings
• Refinement of potential amenities and programming needs
• Evaluation of possible site locations
• Development of conceptual design options and updated cost estimates

Looking Ahead

Once the master plan is complete, City Council will review the findings and consider next steps. Future phases could include:

• Discussion of potential funding strategies, which may include a future bond election
• Additional public input opportunities
• Final design and construction, only if funding is approved

Completion of the master plan does not commit the City to construction. Any future decisions regarding funding or implementation would occur through a separate public process.

Resources

• December 7, 2023: City Council Meeting – Discuss Multi-Purpose Community Facility - Supporting Workforce, Health/Wellness, and Childcare
• January 4, 2024: City Council Community Center Workshop Grant Application
• January 2024: Community Center FlashVote Poll
• September 5, 2024: Consider Proposal from Weise Communications for a Community Center Feasibility Study
• April 3, 2025: City Council Meeting – Receive Results from Community Center Feasibility Study
• July 3, 2025: City Council Meeting – YMCA Pro Forma Discussion
• December 4, 2024: City Council Meeting – Community Center Master Plan Contract Item