Stars align in Northlake

“This state-of-the-art multisport facility will be an incredible asset to the residents of southern Denton County, providing opportunities for recreation, community engagement and economic growth,” Walker said.

The overview

The facility will have two National Hockey League regulation sheets of ice and eight basketball courts that can be converted into 16 volleyball courts. Construction on the center broke ground in April 2024 and should wrap up in fall 2025.

It will border Chadwick Farms, which will include up to 900 multifamily units, entertainment, retail, restaurants and a hotel with a conference center, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

Elise Mikus, development director for Chadwick Farms, said the project and the adjacent StarCenter is expected to draw 1.3 million people annually, including residents from Flower Mound, Highland Village and Argyle.

These centers are multifaceted, said Brad Alberts, president and chief executive officer of the Dallas Stars.

“Our primary goal is to increase ice capacity in the metroplex,” Alberts said.

The big picture

Alberts said the brand wanted to get into the southern Denton County area.

“[Northlake is] really building out their city core over there, both residential and commercial, and the mayor and city manager there wanted something like this to really prop up their commercial business,” Alberts said.

The facility itself costs about $45 million, Corn said. With financing costs, it will come out to about $94.5 million over the next 30 years. Around 70%, $66.6 million, will be paid for through rent payments from the Stars. The rest will be paid for by taxes in town.

The town has essentially overbudgeted sales and hotel occupancy tax contributions compared to what the project actually needs. The remaining funds will go toward future maintenance of the new facility as needed, Corn said.

It will be owned by the town but operated and maintained by the Stars.

Corn said hotels slated for the town and the taxes generated from them will help pay for the facility. Northlake could have 12 hotels in the coming years, he said. The idea is for the town to become a sports tourism destination.

“That’s the goal,” Corn said. “Have them stay at our hotels, have them eat in our restaurants.”

An outdoor sporting facility is being built in Roanoke near Cleveland Gibbs Road and State Highway 114 that will compliment the StarCenter, he said.

What’s next?

The StarCenter is supposed to be wrapped up in September with additional infrastructure finishing out in September 2026.

The StarCenter Multisport Northlake is expected to open its doors in December 2025. The sports courts will be open to the public but they will also be used for practices and tournaments for youth sports teams.

Following the facility’s opening, town officials expect initial phases of the adjacent mixed-use development to begin welcoming tenants in at least another two years, Corn said.

Walker said she’s excited about what the center will do for the area.

“It’s an exciting addition to our region, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our local families and businesses,” Walker said.