The PAC Community Center, a longtime indoor sports facility in Salem, will reopen under the management of NPJ Sports Complex beginning Jan. 1, marking a new operational chapter aimed at expanding recreational access, youth programming and regional tournament activity.
NPJ announced the transition this month, describing the move as a return to a familiar space following recent renovations and community outreach efforts led by the PAC. “We are excited to move back into the facility,” the organization said, adding that the PAC “has done an incredible job renovating and mending relationships throughout the community,” work NPJ said it intends to continue as operations resume.
Under the new management plan, weekdays will center on organized recreational use for youth and adults, while weekends are expected to shift toward competitive tournaments designed to draw teams from Salem and surrounding areas. According to NPJ, weekday offerings will include pickleball, basketball, volleyball and futsal, with schedules structured to balance open recreation and formal programming.
NPJ said the facility will also serve as a consistent practice and competition site for local youth basketball and volleyball teams, positioning the space as more than a short-term rental venue. “The goal is to use the structure to create, grow, and bridge communities through sports,” the organization said, emphasizing long-term access and development.
The operator’s connection to Salem’s sports scene dates back more than a decade. NPJ noted that it grew into The Hoop in the mid-2010s and said returning to what it described as the area’s premier sports complex is both practical and symbolic. Moving back into the facility, NPJ said, is “not just nostalgic but an incredible opportunity to continue to grow opportunities for kids to play, train, and compete.” The organization added that it had previously been approached by the ownership group and decided the timing was right to return.
Programming details are still being finalized, but NPJ outlined several components already underway. The Salem Keizer Pickleball Club is expected to continue weekday morning operations for members 18 and older. Youth basketball programs will remain on the refurbished wood courts, while youth volleyball will operate across both facilities in the near term, with plans to consolidate next club season.
Adult futsal leagues are set to begin soon, alongside occasional tournaments. For youth athletes, NPJ said families can expect camps, clinics, leagues and academies for basketball and volleyball. Adult leagues, tournaments and open gym time will be scheduled around youth programming, a structure NPJ said reflects both community demand and limited indoor court availability. “There is no secret Salem does not have enough courts for the growth in youth sports, especially indoor,” the organization said.
Beyond recreation, NPJ framed its weekend tournament strategy as a way to raise Salem’s profile within Oregon’s sports landscape. “Salem is often overlooked in the sports world, so being centered in the state allows us to reach north, south, east, and west … bringing Oregon to Salem,” NPJ said. The organization added that visiting teams and families can have broader economic effects, noting that “our hotels, restaurants, and other businesses will feel the economic impact as we collaboratively work to bring major sporting events to Salem.”
NPJ also said it plans to continue offering space to local teams and school programs when available, including for practices, fundraisers and special events. “As we have done the past few years at the current NPJ Sports Complex, we will provide space for local teams to practice and play,” the organization said, adding that schools will have opportunities to use the facility as scheduling allows.
Looking ahead, NPJ said it plans to host a wide range of basketball and volleyball tournaments, with competition levels spanning local to regional teams. The organization said it will measure impact by collaborating with Travel Salem and other partners, while remaining open to additional partnerships. “We understand change can be hard, and we look forward to providing more stability to the facility that has been home to so many core memories,” NPJ said.
While a full calendar of leagues, open-play hours and tournament dates has not yet been released, NPJ described a predictable operating rhythm: recreational programming during the week and competitive events on weekends. Additional details, including registration and scheduling for early 2026, are expected to be announced as the Jan. 1 transition approaches.
