West Greeley Project: Catalyst and Cascadia

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In May 2025, Greeley City Council approved the Catalyst project – an investment in West Greeley that will shape the city’s future for decades. An independent analysis run by CBRE estimates $486 million in construction spending and $44 million per year in new revenue from the arena, ice rinks, hotel and water park. Tourism-related revenue is expected to cover the cost of the project without increasing taxes, and could contribute to future public and economic investments.

Greeley is growing. The question isn’t if, but how. Without strategic development, Greeley risks becoming a residential area primarily serving nearby cities. Alternatively, with a clear development strategy, Greeley has the potential to establish itself as a destination, allowing the retention of tax revenue to benefit local residents.

Explore this page to learn more about the project’s funding, timeline and more.

COSTS


FUNDING


FAQs


KEY DATES


What is Catalyst and Cascadia?

The West Greeley Project is an initiative bringing together neighborhoods, industry, agriculture, and natural spaces. A key feature is a public-private partnership in the city’s west side, including a 300-acre mixed-use development:Strategic Planning in Motion: The Vision for West Greeley Map

  • Catalyst (~100 acres) is the city-owned entertainment district that will bring a professional sports arena -- future home of the Colorado Eagles – along with three sheets of ice for youth hockey, a year-round indoor water park and a full-service conference hotel to West Greeley.
  • Cascadia is the privately developed, mixed-use community by The Water Valley Company. The plan features include new neighborhoods, parks, retail, dining, and office spaces – creating a vibrant district that complements Catalyst and supports long-term growth.

Why now?

The Catalyst project aims to represent a significant development opportunity for Greeley, positioning the city as a leader in Northern Colorado. It’s expected to boost Greeley’s economy and create jobs.

The entertainment district is projected to:

  • Create an estimated 2,480 temporary construction jobs
  • Create an estimated 1,220 permanent jobs:
    • 450 Arena and Ice Rink Jobs
    • 550 Hotel and Water Park Jobs
    • 220 Visitor Service Jobs
  • Attract new businesses and investment
  • Boost local business through increased visitor traffic
  • Increase tax revenue without raising taxes

In May 2025, Greeley City Council approved the Catalyst project – an investment in West Greeley that will shape the city’s future for decades. An independent analysis run by CBRE estimates $486 million in construction spending and $44 million per year in new revenue from the arena, ice rinks, hotel and water park. Tourism-related revenue is expected to cover the cost of the project without increasing taxes, and could contribute to future public and economic investments.

Greeley is growing. The question isn’t if, but how. Without strategic development, Greeley risks becoming a residential area primarily serving nearby cities. Alternatively, with a clear development strategy, Greeley has the potential to establish itself as a destination, allowing the retention of tax revenue to benefit local residents.

Explore this page to learn more about the project’s funding, timeline and more.

COSTS


FUNDING


FAQs


KEY DATES


What is Catalyst and Cascadia?

The West Greeley Project is an initiative bringing together neighborhoods, industry, agriculture, and natural spaces. A key feature is a public-private partnership in the city’s west side, including a 300-acre mixed-use development:Strategic Planning in Motion: The Vision for West Greeley Map

  • Catalyst (~100 acres) is the city-owned entertainment district that will bring a professional sports arena -- future home of the Colorado Eagles – along with three sheets of ice for youth hockey, a year-round indoor water park and a full-service conference hotel to West Greeley.
  • Cascadia is the privately developed, mixed-use community by The Water Valley Company. The plan features include new neighborhoods, parks, retail, dining, and office spaces – creating a vibrant district that complements Catalyst and supports long-term growth.

Why now?

The Catalyst project aims to represent a significant development opportunity for Greeley, positioning the city as a leader in Northern Colorado. It’s expected to boost Greeley’s economy and create jobs.

The entertainment district is projected to:

  • Create an estimated 2,480 temporary construction jobs
  • Create an estimated 1,220 permanent jobs:
    • 450 Arena and Ice Rink Jobs
    • 550 Hotel and Water Park Jobs
    • 220 Visitor Service Jobs
  • Attract new businesses and investment
  • Boost local business through increased visitor traffic
  • Increase tax revenue without raising taxes

  • West Greeley Project Summary is Shared at City Council

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    At the April 1 City Council meeting, City staff provided an informational overview of the West Greeley Project. The presentation covered the project vision, economic development goals, proposed funding and financing structure, transportation and utility infrastructure needs, legal considerations, and community engagement efforts.

    Council discussed financial risk, project phasing, infrastructure impacts, and public outreach, including how the project could pay for itself if it moves forward. Staff outlined upcoming decision points, including consideration of pre-development agreements and financing tools.

    View the full presentation shared at the City Council Meeting here.

    At the April 1 City Council meeting, City staff provided an informational overview of the West Greeley Project. The presentation covered the project vision, economic development goals, proposed funding and financing structure, transportation and utility infrastructure needs, legal considerations, and community engagement efforts.

    Council discussed financial risk, project phasing, infrastructure impacts, and public outreach, including how the project could pay for itself if it moves forward. Staff outlined upcoming decision points, including consideration of pre-development agreements and financing tools.

    View the full presentation shared at the City Council Meeting here.

  • Project Financial Overview Highlights Funding Strategy and Economic Impacts

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    The estimated costs of this initial phase is $832 million to help design, build, infrastructure and utilities. The initial phase of Catalyst includes the development of:

    • Eagles Arena: A state-of-the-art facility for professional hockey and large events

    • Youth Hockey: Three ice sheets, NHL regulation size, for youth hockey

    • Indoor Water Park: A family-friendly destination for year-round fun

    • Hotel & Convention Center: Supporting tourism, conferences, and business

    • Mixed-Use Neighborhoods: Blending retail, restaurants, housing, and green spaces

    • Retail & Dining: National and local brands that create jobs and activate the area

    On March 25, 2025, the City gave a presentation about where the money for the project would come from and how it would be used. The project was approved through the usual legal steps that big public projects in Greeley and Colorado follow.

    The estimated costs of this initial phase is $832 million to help design, build, infrastructure and utilities. The initial phase of Catalyst includes the development of:

    • Eagles Arena: A state-of-the-art facility for professional hockey and large events

    • Youth Hockey: Three ice sheets, NHL regulation size, for youth hockey

    • Indoor Water Park: A family-friendly destination for year-round fun

    • Hotel & Convention Center: Supporting tourism, conferences, and business

    • Mixed-Use Neighborhoods: Blending retail, restaurants, housing, and green spaces

    • Retail & Dining: National and local brands that create jobs and activate the area

    On March 25, 2025, the City gave a presentation about where the money for the project would come from and how it would be used. The project was approved through the usual legal steps that big public projects in Greeley and Colorado follow.

  • City Council Receives Project Status Update at City Council Work Session

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    At the January 28 City Council Work Session, City Manager Raymond Lee provided an informational update on the West Greeley Project. He shared that negotiations are ongoing, including review of economic incentives, policies, and a third financial study to refine cost projections. A detailed staff report covering project terms, funding, financial analysis, and risk mitigation is in development, with additional briefings planned for Council.

    At the January 28 City Council Work Session, City Manager Raymond Lee provided an informational update on the West Greeley Project. He shared that negotiations are ongoing, including review of economic incentives, policies, and a third financial study to refine cost projections. A detailed staff report covering project terms, funding, financial analysis, and risk mitigation is in development, with additional briefings planned for Council.

  • City Council Considers Appointing Liaisons for West Greeley Project

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    At the November 19 City Council meeting, Council considered a motion to appoint two Councilmembers as liaisons for the West Greeley Project. Mayor Gates moved to appoint Dale Hall and Brett Payton as the West Greeley Project Council Liaisons. Councilmember Butler seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0.


    View this City Council Meeting here.

    At the November 19 City Council meeting, Council considered a motion to appoint two Councilmembers as liaisons for the West Greeley Project. Mayor Gates moved to appoint Dale Hall and Brett Payton as the West Greeley Project Council Liaisons. Councilmember Butler seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0.


    View this City Council Meeting here.

  • City Council Receives West Greeley Project Update

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    At the November 12 City Council Work Session, the project team provided a pre-submittal update on the West Greeley Project. The update highlighted progress since the approval of the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding in July, including conceptual design, communications, community engagement, and a high-level financial framework.

    View the presentation: City Council Work Session

    At the November 12 City Council Work Session, the project team provided a pre-submittal update on the West Greeley Project. The update highlighted progress since the approval of the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding in July, including conceptual design, communications, community engagement, and a high-level financial framework.

    View the presentation: City Council Work Session

Page last updated: 26 Mar 2026, 12:34 PM