The city of Lake Elsinore is planning a major push to grow its action sports industry and become a regional and global destination for events, athletes, and related businesses by 2040.
The Action Sports Industry Growth & Attraction Plan is part of the city’s larger Dream Extreme 2040 Plan. It focuses on expanding sports facilities, attracting more events, and growing tourism while creating local jobs.
Economic Development Director Gina Gonzalez said the plan builds on what the city already has.
“At its core, this plan is about positioning our city as a premier destination for action sports while driving long-term economic growth,” Gonzalez said. “We’re building a strategic framework that leverages our natural assets, invests in world-class facilities, and creates an ecosystem that attracts athletes, events, businesses, and investors.”
She said the goal is to take existing assets like the lake, natural terrain and motorsports culture and turn them into a more connected sports and tourism hub.
As part of the plan, the city is also proposing branding itself as “Action Sports HQ” and “Southern California’s Playground.”
“Residents can expect to see early momentum through targeted upgrades and highly visible projects like enhancements to existing parks and trails and activation of waterfront and outdoor spaces,” Gonzalez said.
Some of the early ideas being looked at include bringing back events like those at the Lake Elsinore Raceway, sand drags, rallycross, and the Grand Prix. Other proposals include things like a hockey rink, a yacht club at Elm Grove Beach, and more event use at places like Summerly Golf Course.
An important part of the plan is connecting the city’s sports venues, events and businesses so they work together instead of separately.
‘The most impactful element is the creation of a cohesive action sports hub—an integrated network of venues, events, and supporting businesses that establishes our city as a recognized leader in this space,” Gonzalez said.
She said that the connection could help bring in more visitors, attract companies, and support local businesses.
The city is also working with local partners through what it calls “Extreme Alliance 2.0,” which brings together different venues and attractions to help grow tourism and events.
Funding for the plan is expected to come from a mix of public money, private investment, grants, and tourism revenue.
“This plan is built on a smart, diversified funding strategy that combines public investment with strong private-sector partnerships,” Gonzalez said. “Collaboration allows us to accelerate timelines, scale impact, and bring innovative ideas to life.”
The plan is not only focused on tourism, but also on local residents.
“This plan is designed with residents at the center,” Gonzalez said. “It means improved parks and recreation spaces, new job opportunities, increased local business activity, and enhanced quality of life.”
The plan outlines key performance goals, including more than 500,000 annual visitors, over $100 million in annual economic impact, at least 15 new action sports businesses, and 12 or more major annual events.
;“In the near term, the community will see visible progress — project launches, facility upgrades, and new events that begin to define our identity in the action sports space,” Gonzalez said.
