Rochester Explores Expanding Community Access to RCTC Sports Center

City and college seek public input on potential updates and additions to existing facility.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:06am

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Rochester officials and Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) are exploring ways to expand community access and update the existing Rochester Regional Sports Center located on the RCTC campus. The facility, built in 1998 with a shared-use agreement between the city and college, has potential to meet more community recreation needs, but a lack of awareness has limited opportunities. Concepts being discussed include replacing the existing dome, expanding the fieldhouse, and adding outdoor pickleball courts. The city is gathering public input through a series of open houses and an online survey to help inform future decisions.

Why it matters

The planned $65 million city sports and recreation complex will focus on outdoor facilities due to budget constraints, so expanding access and updating the existing RCTC sports center could help address community desires for more flexible indoor recreation space. The RCTC facility has been underutilized, so increasing awareness and access could benefit residents.

The details

The RCTC sports center was built in 1998 as part of a $71.5 million sales tax extension, with a shared-use agreement between the city and college. After plans for the city's new $65 million sports complex were approved with an outdoor focus, the potential to update the RCTC facility agreement emerged. Early discussions have pointed to potential updates like replacing the existing dome, which the college plans to retire this year, as well as expanding the fieldhouse and adding outdoor pickleball courts. The proposed fieldhouse expansion would add gymnasium space equal to four basketball courts, with options for mixed-use still being explored.

  • The RCTC facility was built in 1998 with a $71.5 million sales tax extension.
  • The college plans to retire the existing dome at the RCTC facility this year.
  • The city's $65 million sports and recreation complex was recently approved with an outdoor focus.
  • The first public open house was held on March 11, 2026.
  • Additional open houses are planned for March 23-24, 2026, and online events for March 25 and 27, 2026.

The players

Dave Beal

A Rochester resident who participated in a community working group focused on design options for the city's planned sports and recreation complex.

Ben Boldt

The Rochester Recreation and Facilities Division Head.

Jenna Bowman

The Rochester Strategic Communications and Engagement Director.

Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC)

The college that owns and operates the Rochester Regional Sports Center, which has a shared-use agreement with the city of Rochester.

City of Rochester

The local government exploring ways to expand community access and update the existing RCTC sports center.

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What they’re saying

“If this had been being used, that would have been a whole different conversation around the referendum.”

— Dave Beal, Age Friendly Olmsted representative

“The goal is to have some consistency to it.”

— Ben Boldt, Rochester Recreation and Facilities Division Head

What’s next

The city plans to present the public input gathered from the open houses and online survey to the Rochester City Council on April 27, 2026, to help inform future decisions on potential updates and expanded community access to the RCTC sports center.

The takeaway

Expanding access and updating the existing RCTC sports center could help address community desires for more flexible indoor recreation space, as the city's planned $65 million sports complex will focus on outdoor facilities due to budget constraints. Increasing awareness and usage of the underutilized RCTC facility could benefit Rochester residents.