PITTSBURG – The Dream Courts project, an indoor recreational facility meant to expand sports tourism in the city, has resumed construction after it had been on pause for several months as agreements were ironed out with labor unions.
Construction on the 45,000-square-foot multi-court sports complex for basketball and volleyball began in fall 2024.
Pittsburg first approved plans by Concord-based developer Discovery Builders Inc. to build the recreation center in 2020 at a cost that was not to exceed $3 million. In February 2021, the City Council adopted an amended agreement to increase that amount to $3.25 million.
Over time, construction costs have increased, prompting the city to allocate $7.25 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to fund the remaining expenses.
In March, city staff went back to the council to request an additional $4 million from the Pittsburg Power Company’s capital reserve balance for the completion of Dream Courts, dubbed the largest indoor recreational gymnasium in the region.
Because the project cost significantly more than originally planned, it triggered a project stabilization agreement, said Pittsburg Community and Economic Development Director Jordan Davis.
Davis said any public works project that exceeds $1 million of the city’s contribution would require the city to work with the Contra Costa Trades Council and its signatories.
“So, we had to put the project on pause, we had to bring the trades into agreement. The project had to be rebid by the developer in order to incorporate union labor,” Davis told this news organization. “It took quite a while, but we are excited that it’s back under construction.”
The Dream Courts project sits across the Pittsburg Premier Fields, the city’s other multipurpose sports site located at the intersection of West Leland Road and John Henry Johnson Parkway.
With the two projects, the city hopes to tap into sports tourism and boost the local economy.
A city staff report noted that Pittsburg lacks recreational services, and the current Pittsburg Youth Development Center is unable to meet the demands of a growing city.
Pittsburg Mayor Jelani Killings said he was thrilled to see the Dream Courts project back on track.
“This is a development that will bring an invaluable amenity to our residents and support our goals around youth programming, sports tourism, and economic development,” said Killings in a statement. “While the project has faced its share of challenges, seeing it move forward is a testament to the collaboration of the parties involved and our dedication to this community’s future.”
Albert Seeno III, owner and chief executive officer of Discovery Builders, said the company is proud of the project.
“Being born and raised in the City of Pittsburg, we could not be more proud to be building this project and to partner with the City. This will be a world class regional facility primarily serving our kids, both young and old,” said Seeno in a statement. “The City of Pittsburg deserves this. The region deserves this.”
Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Director Tim Sbranti said the council is “thrilled” to be involved in the project and to ensure a “safe, efficient, and high-quality construction process.”
The project is expected to be completed by the middle of 2026. Once finished, it will be operated by The Ultimate Fieldhouse.