Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, District 4
Subject: Commitment of $800,000 for the Development of the Los Robles Ronald McNair Sports for All Hub
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) A commitment in an amount not to exceed $800,000 of General Funds to support the development of the Los Robles Ronald McNair Sports for All Hub Project to expand recreational, athletic, and community resources for youth and families in District 4 and throughout the region; and
B) The County Executive, or designee(s), in consultation with the County Attorney, to negotiate and execute a grant agreement and any related documents with the Ravenswood City School District, the City of East Palo, the Bay Area Sports Hub Coalition and/or designated implementing partner(s) to support project development, construction, and programming.
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BACKGROUND:
The Ronald McNair Sports for All Hub Project (“Project”) represents a transformative public-private collaboration among the Ravenswood City School District, the City of East Palo Alto, and the Bay Area Sports Hub Coalition, a regional partnership supported by professional sports organizations, philanthropic groups, and local governments. The goal is to expand equitable access to high-quality sports and wellness facilities across the Bay Area.
The Project will be located on the shared campus of Los Robles Magnet Academy and Ronald McNair Academy, serving more than 800 students and thousands of community members in East Palo Alto and surrounding neighborhoods. The Project aims to create a community-led and community-owned sports space that provides safe, year-round access to athletic programs, youth leadership opportunities, and wellness resources.
Through a coordinated partnership among local government, education, and nonprofit organizations, the Project will deliver sustainable recreation and wellness opportunities to youth and families.
Key Project Components:
• Construction of a multi-sport turf field with soccer, football, and lacrosse capacity.
• Renovation of an existing gymnasium and courts, adding accessible infrastructure and lighting.
• Creation of inclusive sports and recreation areas for athletes of all abilities.
This collaborative approach ensures that the Project supports academic achievement, mental and physical health, and neighborhood connectivity. The Project will feature year-round programming by expert “sport-for-development” partners, including 49ers Flag Football, Mid-Peninsula Mastodons, LRRM Athletics, and the Boys & Girls Club (B&GC).
Program components will include:
• Youth and community sports leagues that promote physical activity and teamwork.
• Leadership and upskilling programs for local coaches, teachers, and community leaders.
• Interconnection with other regional Sports for All Hubs, offering activation opportunities around major Bay Area sporting events.
DISCUSSION:
The Project aligns directly with the Board’s commitment to advancing equity, youth development, and community well-being.
The Project will provide the city’s first fully-integrated, multi-sport facility of this kind, linking physical wellness with educational and social growth.
The County’s $800,000 investment will leverage additional public and private funding to complete Phase I construction and ensure the long-term sustainability of the facility. Funding will support field installation, community amenities, and shared-use infrastructure improvements.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This project is a targeted investment in expanding, throughout the region, youth and families’ access to recreational spaces that promote healthy, thriving communities. The Hub will provide free and low-cost programs in a safe, inclusive, and culturally relevant environment.
In alignment with the Board’s equity goals, this investment supports both the physical and social infrastructure that foster long-term well-being.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the proposed resolution would be funded through a General Fund appropriation in Non-Departmental Services or other available fund in an amount not to exceed $800,000, which funds are included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.