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.

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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

  • Petition Filed to Repeal West Greeley COP Funding Ordinance

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    On June 18, 2025, the City of Greeley received a notice of intent to circulate an initiative petition seeking to repeal Ordinance No. 15, 2025 which authorized Certificates of Participation (COPs) to fund early work on the West Greeley Entertainment District.

    This petition was filed as an initiative, not a referendum.

    Referendum
    		 Initiative
    • Must be filed within 30 days of a Council vote on an ordinance
    • Can be filed at any time and allows residents to propose a new law or repeal an existing one by collecting enough valid signatures to place an issue on a future election ballot.
    • Once filed, a referendum will stay enforcement of a newly passed ordinance before it takes effect, pending a public vote
    • An initiated ordinance petition does stay any existing ordinance


    The City intends to follow through with the legal and financial steps already authorized by Ordinance No. 15, 2025, including entering into lease-purchase agreements to finance pre-development activities unless otherwise directed by the City Council.

  • Ordinance No. 15, 2025

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    City Council Holds Public Hearing on West Greeley Project Financing

    On Tuesday, May 6, the Greeley City Council held a public hearing and second reading of an ordinance related to financing pre-development services for key components of the West Greeley Project—including a new arena, ice center, hotel, and indoor water park.

    Ordinance No. 15 also covers the associated public infrastructure improvements and authorizes the execution of a site lease, lease purchase agreement, and related documents as part of the West Greeley Certificates of Participation (Series 2025A).

    📺 Watch the full council meeting:
    City Council Meeting – May 6

    📄 View the agenda, meeting notes, and packet:
    Council Meeting Materials

  • Greeley City Council Approves Catalyst Project

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    On May 6, 2025, the City Council voted 5–2 to move the project forward.

    • In favor: Mayor John Gates, Mayor Pro Tem Dale Hall, Councilmembers Johnny Olson, Brett Payton, and Melissa McDonald.
    • Opposed: Councilmembers Deb DeBoutez and Tommy Butler.

    The majority supported the project because they believed the benefits outweighed the costs and risks associated with it. Supporters pointed to:

    • Financing and safeguards: The Certificates of Participation (COPs) provide initial funding without raising taxes. They are structured with staged approvals and safeguards to manage risk and ensure accountability.

    • Economic and community benefits: The project is expected to bring jobs, attract private investment, and increase business activity by drawing more people to the area.

    • Quality of life improvements: New recreation and entertainment facilities will create year-round opportunities for residents and visitors.

    • Infrastructure upgrades: Coordinated work on roads, utilities, and water/sewer systems will serve both current needs and future growth.

    Those in opposition to the project pointed to:

    • Financial priorities: Concerns were raised about committing funds to the project while other capital improvement needs across the city require investment.

    • Long-term financial exposure: The project’s reliance on future revenues to repay debt created questions about potential impacts on the City’s budget if projections were to change.

    Those who voted “no” raised concerns about long-term financial exposure, competing capital needs, and whether the timing was right to commit City resources.

    Residents can review the full agenda, packet, and meeting recording on the City Council Meeting • Agendas & Minutes - Greeley, Colorado • CivicClerk

  • 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.

Page last updated: 12 Nov 2025, 12:45 PM