05/07/2026
RE: Show Low Sport & Event Center:
I keep hearing people say the City of Show Low Sports and Events Center has “just suddenly appeared” or that nobody knew anything about it.
That is simply not true.
This project has been discussed, planned, studied, and worked on for many years — close to 15 years in different stages. It has been tied to the Show Low Bluff development area, land agreements, future road planning, economic development discussions, and the long-term goal of bringing more year-round activity to our community.
The idea behind the Sports and Events Center is not just “a gym.” It is being planned as a multi-use facility that could support sports tournaments, community events, trade shows, conventions, concerts, meetings, walking/jogging, and other regional activities. The goal is to help bring people to Show Low during more than just our summer season and to support our local businesses, restaurants, hotels, shops, contractors, and service providers.
That does not mean people should not ask questions.
Of course residents should ask questions about the cost, funding, location, traffic, parking, operations, and long-term financial responsibility. Those are fair questions. A project of this size should be discussed openly, and people should pay attention.
But saying this came out of nowhere, or acting like the City has been hiding it, is misleading.
There have been public meetings, land discussions, budget discussions, planning discussions, site reviews, and council decisions over the years. The project has changed, the cost has changed, and the design is still being refined — but the concept itself is not new.
If you live inside the City of Show Low limits and care about where our city is headed, then get involved. Attend meetings. Read the agenda packets. Ask real questions. Learn the facts before spreading rumors or half-truths online.
It is okay to support the project.
It is okay to question the project.
It is okay to have concerns.
But let’s at least be honest about the fact that this has been a long-term planning effort, not something that magically appeared overnight.