May 22 Weekly Briefing: Sports park schedule, update on mall land, new art in place, and more

Welcome to the Thursday Weekly Briefing! If you’ve ever wanted to help shape the future of your local library now is your chance. The Indio Library is reaching out to residents for feedback as it prepares for its move to a brand-new facility. City Manager Bryan Montgomery told the CV Independent in March that he estimates construction is approximately 80% complete and the city has said on social media they’re targeting a Fall 2025 opening. Interested residents can complete the survey online at this link or visit the temporary location at 45130 Oasis Street to provide feedback in person.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals

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LEADING OFF

First phase of Indio Sports Park to open in November

The first phase of Indio’s new 31-acre sports complex will open in November, featuring 11 lighted soccer fields and facilities for football, baseball and softball. City staff delivered the update during this week’s Community Services Commission meeting.

Driving the news: The city broke ground on the Indio Sports Park in May 2024, with the first phase located off Market Street near the Avenue 44 and Jackson Street intersection.

• The opening was delayed due to shipment issues with crucial electric equipment.

The details: Phase 1 will include 11 lighted soccer fields for various age groups, one professional football field, a baseball field, a softball field, and a perimeter walking path.

• Additional amenities include shade structures with barbecues and picnic tables, drinking fountains, restrooms, and a concession stand.

By the numbers: The project is funded by an $8.5 million grant from California’s Park, Environment and Water Bond Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), which the city matched.

• Phase 2 is estimated to cost $15 million, the city said it is working to apply for grants due at the end of summer and early fall.

What’s next: The Desert Recreation District will manage the facility and handle field reservations.

What they’re saying: City officials emphasized that community input drove the design priorities, focusing on outdoor play areas, particularly soccer and lighted baseball fields.

• “As with all our parks, we can add to it and we can make it better and improve it over time,” said Donn Uyeno with the city’s engineering division, who remains open to ongoing community feedback.

Looking ahead: Phase 2 additions could include pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, a community garden, skate park, sand volleyball courts, dog parks, and playground equipment.

• Phase 3 will focus on indoor sports.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏗️ City enters exclusive talks with Haagen Company for vacant property behind mall

The City of Indio approved a 12-month exclusive negotiating agreement with the Haagen Company for the potential sale of 15.35 acres of city-owned land behind the Indio Grand Marketplace mall.

• A previous agreement with the Haagen Company, led by Empire Polo Club owner Alexander Haagen III, expired when the planned transaction fell through after two years.
  
• Original plans called for a mixed-use development with a 150-room hotel, hundreds of apartment units, restaurants and a public park honoring John Nobles, whose ranch once occupied the area and became one of the valley’s only majority-Black neighborhoods.
  
• Bottom line: In its recommendation for approval, city staff noted the deal is “… in the best interests of both parties to plan, market and develop the adjoining properties in a cooperative effort.” The staff report did not indicate future development plans for the land.

Dive deeper with our complete story

📊 Indio reports 53% drop in unsheltered homelessness

Indio has seen a 53% decrease in unsheltered homeless people according to Riverside County’s 2025 Homeless Point-in-Time Count data released last week. The count, conducted on January 22, identified 51 unsheltered individuals in Indio, down from 108 in 2023, while the number of sheltered people increased 43% from 319 to 458.

• A previous agreement with the Haagen Company, led by Empire Polo Club owner Alexander Haagen III, expired when the planned transaction fell through after two years.
  
• Original plans called for a mixed-use development with a 150-room hotel, hundreds of apartment units, restaurants and a public park honoring John Nobles, whose ranch once occupied the area and became one of the valley’s only majority-Black neighborhoods.
  
• Bottom line: In its recommendation for approval, city staff noted the deal is “… in the best interests of both parties to plan, market and develop the adjoining properties in a cooperative effort.” The staff report did not indicate future development plans for the land.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

What to do in and around Indio this weekend.

Indio Farmers Market
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Towne St. and Bliss Ave.
Take this chance to explore a mix of fresh produce, local goods, handmade crafts, and more.

Surprise Movie Matinee
Saturday | 2 p.m. | Indio Library temporary location
If you’re tired of scrolling through Netflix trying to decide what to watch, head to the Indio Library’s temporary location for a surprise movie screening! The film will be a pick suitable for school-aged kids.

Jaripeo Baile-Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday | 4 p.m. | Riverside County Fairgrounds
Voz de Mando, Los Morros del Norte, El As de la Sierra, Samuel Sarmiento and others are set to perform alongside bull riding, food, and fun! ($50)

Open A Can of Kickass
Saturday | 5 p.m. | Little Street Music Hall
Bug Stomp, Lazuli Bones, The Renters, Monday, Zombieloaf, GEAR are all performing starting at 5 p.m. ($12)

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AND FINALLY …

Check this out: more art from the Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival is hitting the streets of Indio.

Driving the news: Meet “The Messengers,” two huge and colorful figures now towering over Downtown Indio after their stint at the festival in 2023.

Meet the artist: The sculptures were created by Sri Lankan artist Kumkum Fernando who says he took information from South Asian art and architecture, in particular Tibetan and Hindu temples.

• He designed the figures as robots from another dimension, and came to see them more as idols. Still, they’re commonly referred to as just “The Robots.”

Details: The 60-foot-tall figures are being installed at the corner of Bliss Avenue and Towne Street, right across from the “Heavy Metal” rock and roll cactus created by Don Kennell and Lisa Adler for 2023’s “Power Trip” metal festival produced by Goldenvoice.