County mega sports complex coming next year
Douglas County is partnering with Sterling Ranch Development Company and public and private entities to build Zebulon, a mega sports complex scheduled to open next year in Douglas County. The 47 acres of Phase 1 are outlined in red above.
Ice rinks – check. Baseball fields – check. Soccer complex – check.
Those are a few of the sports venues that will be part of the 46-acre mega sports complex called Zebulon, coming in 2026 to northwest Douglas County in Sterling Ranch, four miles south of C-470, west of US Highway 85. Zebulon will include courts and spaces for basketball, baseball, football, hockey, soccer, softball, lacrosse, pickleball and volleyball.
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously last month to enter into partnership with Sterling Ranch Development Company as well as public and private entities to fund Zebulon. The County will also preserve more than 400 acres of open space near the complex, which includes 200-acre wildlife corridor adjacent to Sterling Ranch and Louviers and 200 acres in Highlands Ranch. With the partnership formalized, the development planning for Zebulon is underway.
According to Luke Taylor from Katy Development, Phase 1 of the project plans include a 400,000 square-foot building housing three full-size ice rinks and eight to 10 basketball courts, which can also be turned into 20 volleyball courts or 30 pickleball courts. The exterior plans include an indoor/outdoor component with a full-size synthetic turf baseball field under a dome, which can be taken down in the spring and put up in the fall for year-round usage. Also included are two full-size synthetic turf soccer fields, which can also be used for lacrosse or football. Future phases include ancillary options for hotels, retail, dining, swimming pools and water features.
Funding began to funnel in decades ago when voters approved a .17% sales and use tax in November 1994 for parks, trails, open spaces and historical resources. In 2022, more than 87% of Douglas County voters approved to extend the funding which will generate more than $350 million over 15 years. The cost of Zebulon is estimated to be between $60 and $70 million.
County Commissioner Abe Laydon said, “Zebulon is a place for everyone, where nature comes to play and where all souls young and old can stretch. It will reflect the overwhelming support from citizens for the parks and open space ballot measure.”
Why the name Zebulon? Laydon explained, “It’s named after one of our most significant western adventurers, Zebulon Pike.”
To learn more or provide input, visit douglas.co.us/proposed-zebulon-project/.
By Karen Leigh; conceptual artwork courtesy of Douglas County
