Alexandria leaders proposed transforming the Great Waves Waterpark at Cameron Run Regional Park into a 210,000-square-foot indoor sports and events complex during a virtual news briefing and presentation to the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday night.
The vision for the Alexandria Sports and Events Complex at Cameron Run calls for $107 million in public funds, with a local nonprofit overseeing operations to generate tax revenue that covers city debt.
Proposed Venue Replaces Water Park with Public Funding
- The proposed 210,000-square-foot venue would replace the existing water park at Cameron Run Regional Park.
- Project funding relies on $107 million in public funds, while a new nonprofit called ALX Sports would manage operations.
- Officials project the facility could open in 2031 if approved by the city council.
City Extends NOVA Parks Lease for the Site
The proposal follows the Alexandria City Council extending the NOVA Parks lease for the site for 10 years, setting an expiration in 2028. The city-owned property spans more than 25 acres, featuring an active lake, a recreational area, and an animal shelter that will remain unchanged under current plans.
NOVA Parks operated the space as a water park, mini-golf and batting cage area, and a holiday lights experience. Stephanie Landrum, president and CEO of Alexandria’s Economic Development Partnership, informed WTOP News that when NOVA Parks requested a decades-long lease extension back in 2014, the city initiated a public outreach effort which revealed widespread community backing for tearing down the water park completely.
“NOVA Parks has proudly operated Cameron Run for nearly half a century. We were hopeful to invest in the site and continue that partnership for decades to come,” Justin Wilson, executive director of NOVA Parks, said in a statement.
“While the City will be pursuing an alternate vision, we commit to working in collaboration as we conclude our stewardship of Cameron Run and look forward to maintaining our partnership in Alexandria at Carlyle House Historic Park and Winkler Botanical Preserve,” NOVA Parks said in the statement.
New Complex Features Sports Courts and Community Spaces
Volleyball, basketball, soccer, pickleball, field hockey, lacrosse, and track would all find a home within the proposed complex through dedicated courts and turf areas. It would also feature 50,000 square feet of new community spaces, including walking and running trails, an amphitheater, a tot lot, and a dog park.
The Alexandria Soccer Association would create a new nonprofit named ALX Sports to operate and manage the site. Under the proposal, the complex would be publicly owned and financed, while ALX Sports would lease the facility and commit to a minimum $10 million contribution.
The nonprofit has to “bring $4 million to the table before any city financing is issued,” Landrum told WTOP News. The organization also agreed to host a minimum number of regional and national events, requiring third-party tournament organizers to use designated hotel blocks and food and beverage services, with financial penalties enforced if those obligations are missed.
| Metric | Cameron Run Water Park | Proposed Sports Complex |
|---|---|---|
| Projected Timeline | Active for nearly 50 years | Could open in 2031 |
| Estimated Revenue (30 Years) | $11 million in local tax revenue | $160 million in local tax revenue |
| Primary User Base | Visitors from Maryland and surrounding areas | Local residents and regional sports tourists |
City Seeks to Retain Local Sports Group
Asked whether the local sports group was selected to lead the nonprofit through a competitive process, Landrum told WTOP News that the city had been “looking at a variety of different ways to help them grow here in Alexandria, and frankly, also discourage them from taking their talents and business to some of our competing jurisdictions.”
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said that previous analysis found many water park guests arrived from Maryland or other surrounding jurisdictions rather than living within Alexandria city limits. Over a 30-year period, the water park would bring $11 million in local tax revenue, whereas the proposed complex would generate $160 million in revenue over the same period, Landrum told WTOP News.
“It’s about a vision that is more than just a new sports facility,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said during the virtual news briefing. “Pero really about 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, creating a place for recreation, youth sports and even community gathering.”
“For too long, Alexandria hasn’t had enough indoor space for sports of all types,” Tommy Park, CEO of Alexandria Soccer Association and ALX Sports, told WTOP News. “Families across many sports have had to travel outside of the city to find places to practice, compete and participate. This proposed complex has the potential to change that.”
Next Steps and Public Engagement
The city is planning a series of public engagement sessions to solicit feedback on the proposal, with the first session scheduled for Thursday.
The involved agencies will spend the coming months finalizing a term sheet for the city council to vote on. Landrum told WTOP News that the vote may be scheduled for Jan. 12.
Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties in Virginia, as well as D.C., have been looking at building similar facilities, prompting the city “to move with speed, because we believe this is the most competitive site in the region,” Landrum told WTOP News.
