Proposed Southwest Athletic Complex
Draft spatial layout of the proposed Athletic Complex (subject to change)
Overview
The Herriman City Council has approved a land trade and unit entitlement adjustments that create the possibility for a future multi-sport athletic complex in the northern part of the city. While the land is now secured, the complex itself remains a proposal and is not currently funded or guaranteed. Its future depends on securing significant external support—such as funding partnerships with other public agencies or private entities.
The purpose of pursuing the project is to support local and regional recreational needs, stimulate business activity, and help reduce long-term pressure on property taxes through increased sales and tourism tax revenue. However, even with the land in place, the City cannot commit to constructing the complex without additional funding.
Financial Considerations
If built, the complex is expected to attract visitors from across the region, who would contribute to the local economy by spending at restaurants, shops, and hotels. This visitor-driven spending could increase City sales and tourism tax revenue, which in turn may reduce the need for future property tax increases to fund essential services.
Projected benefits:
- Sales and tourism taxes: Visitors could generate new revenue for public services such as roads, parks, and snow removal.
- Business growth: The complex may attract new commercial development and strengthen existing businesses.
- Long-term sustainability: A diversified tax base helps the City plan and manage services as the community grows.
Meeting Community Playing Field Needs
Herriman’s youth sports leagues currently face a shortage of available playing fields, sometimes requiring teams to travel to other cities. If constructed, the athletic complex would help address these needs and provide space for regional and national tournaments.
Key Sports Benefits of a Complex:
- Space for more than a dozen multi-sport fields to meet current and future demand.
- Serve as a host location for more than a dozen tournaments annually for various sports.
- Improved recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.
Why Was a Land Trade Needed?
The City didn’t own the land where the athletic complex is proposed—it was privately owned and planned for housing. To make the complex possible, the City traded some of its land with the developer. In return, the City received the land for the proposed complex, and the developer was allowed to build homes on the City’s land instead.
Key Parts of the Land Trade:
“Creek Ridge” property (29 acres): Directly across the future extension of 6400 West from the athletic complex site. Transition from regional park to 136 single-family homes. The site originally proposed for the complex has swapped uses with this parcel.
“Big Bend Cove” property (2.54 acres): City-owned parcel transitioned to 11 private residential lots, consistent with existing zoning. Previously considered for a fire station site (now relocated to the southwest portion of the Sorrento property).
“Sorrento” property (previously known as the “Walker” property) (18 acres): Approved for up to 113 single-family detached residential homes. This property was previously expected to house a public works facility, which will be located elsewhere.
Teton Ranch and Olympia Adjustments
Additional changes to private properties are part of the overall proposal:
- Teton Ranch: Approved to reduce lot sizes for a portion of the subdivision to allow 17 additional homes (from 1.72 to 1.84 units per acre), within the existing neighborhood density range.
- Olympia: Development rights increased by 150 units, bringing the maximum total to 6,480 homes over 930 acres.
Public Engagement and Timeline
The City gathered feedback through public meetings, online submissions, and direct communication throughout the review process. Community input helped shape revisions to the land use proposal before its approval.
- Community meetings: Held in January 2025
- Planning Commission review: April 2, 2025
- Final City Council approval: April 23, 2025
What's Next?
Although the land trade and entitlements are finalized, the athletic complex remains in the planning and conceptual stage. There is no established construction timeline, and moving forward will depend on identifying funding sources outside of the City’s current budget.
The Data
A feasibility study and market survey were completed in 2022–2023 to evaluate the viability of a regional athletic complex in Herriman. A summary presentation was given in the August 23, 2023 City Council work meeting. The full study and survey results are also available below.
Note: The feasibility study and market survey were originally based on a nearby site just west of the current proposed location. While the new location is similar, some conditions may differ and will be further evaluated if the project moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the athletic complex finalized? Not yet. The land is secured, but construction depends on securing outside funding and partnerships.
- Why was a land trade needed? The City did not own suitable land. The approved trade allows the City to secure a contiguous 56-acre site that could qualify for external funding.
- How will traffic impacts be addressed? The City regularly monitors traffic levels on major roads and plans improvements as needed. These projects are already included in long-term plans.
- Will this reduce my property taxes? A future complex is not expected to lower or raise current property taxes. However, sales and tourism taxes may help reduce future property tax needs.
- How will parking needs be managed? If the project moves forward, the City will study parking needs and use best practices from similar complexes to provide adequate capacity and minimize overflow.
- What are the benefits for businesses? A potential complex could attract hotels, restaurants, and retail, boosting visitor numbers for existing businesses.
- Does this affect the future Jackson Park? No. The future Jackson Park, north of the athletic complex site, is unaffected and expected to be funded within the next 3–5 years.
- What was planned for the traded properties before?
- Big Bend Cove: Previously discussed as a fire station site.
- Sorrento (formerly Walker Cove): Previously discussed as a public works facility site.
- Creek Ridge: Planned as a regional park or sporting complex.