Civic Gym Facility Activation and Operations License (RFP)

ISSUED:  May 29, 2026

REQEUST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP): Civic Gym Facility Activation and Operations License

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Davis (“City”) is soliciting proposals for the Civic Gym Facility Activation and Operations License through submitted Request for Proposals (RFP).

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City seeks a qualified long-term community partner to activate and operate the Civic Gym facility located at 23 Russell Boulevard, Davis, California (“Civic Gym” or “Facility”) through inclusive, recreational and competitive programming, community activities, and related events that provide meaningful public benefit consistent with the objectives of this Request for Proposals (“RFP”). The City welcomes creative and financially sustainable approaches that expand recreational opportunities for the Davis community while demonstrating operational capability, long-term facility stewardship, and sustained community-serving use of the Facility. The selected proposer will operate the Facility under a revocable, non-exclusive license agreement that preserves City ownership and municipal access rights, and operational oversight while supporting community recreation and financially sustainable operations. The City recognizes that activation of the Facility may require repairs, maintenance, and capital improvements prior to full operation. Accordingly, the selected Proposer will be responsible for evaluating the Facility and implementing improvements necessary to support its proposed operations and programming, subject to the terms, conditions, and approval requirements set forth in this RFP and the Agreement.

FACILITY OVERVIEW

Facility Name: Civic Gym

Address: 23 Russell Boulevard, Davis CA 95616

Approximate Size: 11,836 square feet

Primary Space: Indoor gymnasium with supporting rooms, lobby, restrooms, storage, and staff office

Current Condition: The Facility requires improvements prior to occupancy

Zoning / Use: Public recreation and/or community use

FACILITY BACKGROUND

The Civic Gym was originally built in 1927 with the western section added in 1986. The building is approximately 11,836 square feet in area. In 2019, the Civic Gym was closed to the public to address a structural issue. At that time, the City explored combining other capital improvements into the project. As project costs exceeded the available budget, the project was divided into multiple phases and implemented as separate projects to manage funding constraints. The Facility is owned by the City and has historically supported recreational and community uses. Proposers should assume that improvements will be necessary to bring the Facility into operational condition.

Please download the complete RFP document for more information:

• Request for Proposal: Civic Gym Facility Activation and Operations License (PDF)

Supplemental Background Information (available upon request).

• Truss Repair Project in 2022 As-Builts (PDF) - coming soon
• Truss Repair Project in 2022 Record Drawings (PDF) -  coming soon
• Roof Replacement Project in 2024-2025 As-Builts (PDF) - coming soon

City Response to Written Questions posted here on June 19, 2026

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Prospective operators, community organizations and interested parties interested in responding to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must submit a complete proposal in accordance with the requirements outlined “Proposal Submittal Requirements” section of this RFP. Proposals will be deemed responsive only if all required components are included. All proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format via email to:

Deanne Machado

Parks and Community Services Director

DMachado@cityofdavis.org

Subject Line: Civic Gym Facility Activation & Operations License RFP - Questions

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION TIMELINE

May 29, 2026            Release of RFP

June 11, 2026          Mandatory Site Visit at 2:00 PM

June 15, 2026          Proposer Written Questions Due to City

June 19, 2026          City Response to Written Questions Posted Online

June 29, 2026 Proposals DUE by 4:00 PM

July 6-7, 2026          Review Proposals by Committee

July 15, 2026           Conditional Offer to Proposed Operator

Aug/Sept 2026        City Council Consideration and Approval

Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 PM (PDT) on June 29, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Proposals submitted via mail, facsimile, flash drive, or any other method other than email will NOT be considered.