Two sports and entertainment venues in Spokane County continue to move forward through different stages of development.

The Course Spokane Valley is preparing for its first fully programmed season of events in 2026, following a preview year of competitions at the newly constructed cross-country venue, says Keytra Lewis, associate vice president of nonprofit Spokane Sports.

Located on 46 acres of Spokane Valley park land at 2620 N. Flora Road, the venue is designed to host cross-country races ranging from middle school meets to collegiate and postcollegiate competitions.

The first phase of The Course, which was completed in October, involved the construction of a grass course with 5K, 6K, 8K, and 10K loop options and infrastructure, including restrooms, parking, a shuttle drop-off point, and a pedestrian pathway.

Possible future phase improvements include the addition of a field house with a media booth, a medical and drug testing location, a timing suite, a training room, and offices for officials at the property. Lewis notes that phase two plans are tied to performance and funding. As capital becomes available, additional improvements will be considered, including potential cyclocross features. There is no formal movement yet, she adds.

“This facility was built for cross country, and that’s where we are focused,” says Lewis in an email to the Journal. “The priority right now is delivering high-level running events that elevate the venue nationally and bring meaningful visitation to the region, especially during shoulder season.”

The Spokane office of Turner & Townsend Heery LLC managed the first phase of the project. Spokane-based Walker Construction Inc. was the general contractor, and Spokane-based SPVV Landscape Architects provided landscape design.

The first phase cost an estimated $7 million to build, 99% of which came from lodging tax revenue in 2023 and 2024, John Hohman, Spokane Valley’s city manager, told the Journal in November.

In 2025, Spokane Sports and city officials treated the venue’s first events as a preview year to test operations, logistics, and the overall experience for athletes and spectators, Lewis says. The venue’s first full season in 2026 will coincide with its official grand opening and will include several high-profile events. Confirmed competitions include the Northwest Athletic Conference championship, the NCAA Division III West Regional, Nike NXR Northwest, and the Bob Firman Invitational, Lewis says.

A second recreation project for a proposed Topgolf facility in Liberty Lake is still in the planning stages as developers await permit application approvals. 

In November, a building permit application was filed for a new 35,000-square-foot Topgolf facility, full-service restaurant, and bar at 21101 E. Country Vista Drive.

The proposed structure will be built on a portion of a 27-acre property located immediately south of Interstate 90 and east of Kramer Parkway, where additional commercial developments are expected, says Lance Beck, who is transitioning to his new role as chief strategy officer at Greater Spokane Incorporated from his previous role as president and CEO of Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, this month.

A permit application for Top Golf was filed by Downers Grove, Illinois-based ARCO/Murray National Construction Co., which is listed as both the applicant and contractor, according to permit information. Seattle-based Coffman Engineers Inc., which has a Spokane office, is providing civil engineering services, permit information shows.

As previously reported by the Journal, TopGolf, an indoor-outdoor destination entertainment facility, will be designed for a midmarket population and feature climatized driving-range bays, allowing for year-round use.

—Karina Elias