Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan + Community Indoor Recreation Center

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This project is complete, and the Civic Compext Master Plan was approved by the City Council on March 23, 2026.

An aerial view of Civic Stadium with the Sportsplex and Sehome Hill in the background

 

See the final plan!   

The Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan was approved by the Bellingham City Council on March 23, 2026.

Watch the video below or ready the Master Plan to learn about the future of recreation at Civic Athletic Complex. With a strong focus on expanded indoor recreation options, plus upgrades to existing fields and sports facilities, see how we’re reimagining Bellingham’s premier recreation hub. 

Key Features of the Plan 

  • North end: We’re reserving space for the potential to build a replacement school for Carl Cozier elementary. New lighted and turfed baseball/softball and multi-use fields will create access to stellar amenities for field sports for both school and community use. 
  • South end: The south end of the complex will include a new community indoor recreation center – with expanded aquatics, gym space, fitness studios, and flexible meeting spaces – to deliver more opportunities to recreate and exercise out of the rain. The exact design of the community center isn’t part of this plan, but you can weigh in below on priorities that will drive the general size and shape it takes. 
  • Improvements and expansion of other amenities: Civic Stadium, Joe Martin Field, and forested trails will also receive much-needed upgrades. Plus, north of the Sportsplex, we’re holding space to expand that building or add a fieldhouse for more space for indoor sports. 
  • Better mobility for everyone: We’ll create better connections and easier navigation with a “Civic Promenade” – a pedestrian-friendly corridor linking the whole campus together. Parking improvements, gateway roundabouts, plazas, and more green space will welcome visitors, improving flow throughout the site.


Thank you for your feedback!

From Dec.10-31, 2025, we received almost 1,200 responses to our survey on priorities for the community indoor recreation center. We’ve heard many ideas about what a community center should include, and your feedback helped us determine what we focus on in both the Master Plan and the next phase of development of a community recreation center.

Read our community engagement summary to learn more about what we heard.

 

See the final plan!   

The Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan was approved by the Bellingham City Council on March 23, 2026.

Watch the video below or ready the Master Plan to learn about the future of recreation at Civic Athletic Complex. With a strong focus on expanded indoor recreation options, plus upgrades to existing fields and sports facilities, see how we’re reimagining Bellingham’s premier recreation hub. 

Key Features of the Plan 

  • North end: We’re reserving space for the potential to build a replacement school for Carl Cozier elementary. New lighted and turfed baseball/softball and multi-use fields will create access to stellar amenities for field sports for both school and community use. 
  • South end: The south end of the complex will include a new community indoor recreation center – with expanded aquatics, gym space, fitness studios, and flexible meeting spaces – to deliver more opportunities to recreate and exercise out of the rain. The exact design of the community center isn’t part of this plan, but you can weigh in below on priorities that will drive the general size and shape it takes. 
  • Improvements and expansion of other amenities: Civic Stadium, Joe Martin Field, and forested trails will also receive much-needed upgrades. Plus, north of the Sportsplex, we’re holding space to expand that building or add a fieldhouse for more space for indoor sports. 
  • Better mobility for everyone: We’ll create better connections and easier navigation with a “Civic Promenade” – a pedestrian-friendly corridor linking the whole campus together. Parking improvements, gateway roundabouts, plazas, and more green space will welcome visitors, improving flow throughout the site.


Thank you for your feedback!

From Dec.10-31, 2025, we received almost 1,200 responses to our survey on priorities for the community indoor recreation center. We’ve heard many ideas about what a community center should include, and your feedback helped us determine what we focus on in both the Master Plan and the next phase of development of a community recreation center.

Read our community engagement summary to learn more about what we heard.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan + Community Recreation Center Survey - December 2025

    This project is complete, and the Civic Compext Master Plan was approved by the City Council on March 23, 2026.
    Share Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan + Community Recreation Center Survey - December 2025 on Facebook Share Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan + Community Recreation Center Survey - December 2025 on Twitter Share Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan + Community Recreation Center Survey - December 2025 on Linkedin Email Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan + Community Recreation Center Survey - December 2025 link