Staff Reports | Business & Construction
Palo District, the planned redevelopment of the Fiesta Mall site in Mesa, will include the creation of a Women’s Health Campus.
The campus will be a cornerstone of the broader Palo District project and represents one of the most significant investments in women’s health, wellness and athletic performance in Arizona and the nation, according to a press release.
The new campus will feature a Women’s Sports Center designed to support athletic excellence, research, training and community recreation tailored to women and girls. Planned facilities include performance training, sports medicine, recovery and multidisciplinary programs informed by research on women’s physiology.
Complementing the athletic components, the development will also include a Women’s Medical Pavilion dedicated to addressing the full spectrum of women’s health needs. Planned services include:
- Aging and longevity health
- Perimenopause, menopause and hormone replacement therapy
- Behavioral health and integrative care
- Diagnostic, outpatient and specialty care clinics
The Women’s Health Campus will serve as an anchor for Palo District, a multi-phase redevelopment designed to transform the long-vacant Fiesta Mall site into a district of innovation, education, sports, healthcare, housing and community amenities.
Through partnerships with healthcare providers, universities, nonprofits and sports organizations, the campus aims to position Mesa as a national leader in women-centered health and performance.
Vicki Mayo, CEO of Sunny Day Sports, the company that owns Palo District, said the concept of a women’s health and sports campus is one of the most important elements of the overall project.
“The Women’s Health Campus is a cornerstone of the entire Palo District vision,” Ms. Mayo said in a prepared statement.
“It embodies exactly what this redevelopment is about — creating transformative, future-focused assets that elevate the quality of life in our region, and specifically for women. By anchoring the project with a facility of this significance, we are helping to ensure that Palo District becomes one of the most impactful and forward-looking developments in the Valley.”
Plaza Companies’ portfolio includes SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center and several award-winning medical offices.
“This campus is not just a development project — it’s a commitment to women and families in Mesa and across Arizona,” said Sharon Harper, chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies. “By combining medical services with a pioneering women’s sports campus, we are creating a community asset that fills longstanding gaps in care, research and opportunity. Plaza Companies is proud to help lead a project that will set new standards for how cities support women at every stage of life.”
Pam Kehaly, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and one of the healthcare supporters of Palo District, said the new women’s health and sports campus will break new ground in treating some of the most important health issues facing women.
“This will be the first campus of its kind anywhere in the region — bringing together women’s health, sports performance, research and community programs in one unified place,” Ms. Kehaly said.
The Palo District project will include restaurants and retail, lodging, office and medical office, multifamily residential, an entertainment district and sports facilities, including infrastructure that could lead to the site hosting men’s and women’s professional soccer.
“This transformative campus reflects Arizona’s commitment to advancing innovation in women’s health and wellness, while serving as a beacon for the forward-looking innovation happening throughout our state,” said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We’re proud to partner on this exciting project that will drive meaningful impact across our state and beyond.”
Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman applauded the announcement as a key milestone in the revitalization of the Fiesta District.
“The Palo project shows what can happen when strong partnerships and a shared vision come together,” he said. “This Women’s Health Campus will provide services our region has needed for many years. It will expand access to quality health care, create new opportunities in athletics and research, and build partnerships that support women, mothers and families. This investment will have a lasting impact on Mesa’s future.”
