Maricopa Kicks Off Construction on Exciting New Sports Fieldhouse

Government officials gathered this morning at the former site of a Maricopa Police Department substation, preparing to transform it into the city’s new sports fieldhouse.

Located just north of the recently installed veterans memorial at Bowlin Road and Greythorn Drive, the building has long been a faded reminder of its past, with the police insignia on its facade severely discolored by years of exposure to the sun.

Signs of progress are evident. A large room inside has been converted into a construction office, while some walls further back have been partially demolished.

Outside, the impound lot walls have been razed, with debris scattered across the site. Among the remnants, a glinting Mercedes-Benz ornament offers a hint of the structure’s former use.

In the empty lot, officials, staff, and workers from the Tempe-based Chasse Building Team wielded golden shovels in the mild 90-degree heat, celebrating the building’s future as a public facility.

The new sports fieldhouse will expand eastward into the former impound lot, featuring a pre-engineered metal structure adorned with desert-inspired color tones and patterns, according to city officials.

Proposed last year after the police department relocated its dispatch center to new headquarters, city leaders faced a key question: “What do we do with it?” according to Assistant City Manager Jennifer Brown.

“One major inquiry has been about the availability of court space,” she explained.

The $16.2 million facility, covering 42,000 square feet, is designed to accommodate a range of sports, including four basketball courts, six volleyball courts, and twelve pickleball courts, set to open by next summer.

City councilmember Bob Marsh emphasized the project aims to meet the needs of an active community, noting that Copper Sky Recreation Complex has been fully booked.

“Copper Sky’s been filled up, fully booked. This will be a good facility,” Marsh remarked.

Vice Mayor Henry Wade added, “It’s about accessibility and increasing sports offerings. While Copper Sky has been excellent, we need more space.”

City Manager Ben Bitter expressed hope that the fieldhouse will garner public enthusiasm similar to when Copper Sky opened in 2014.

As construction develops, the city will determine programming for the facility.

“We’ll engage with the community to identify desired programs, ensuring this facility serves as a cornerstone for the future,” Bitter stated.