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DeSoto council chooses Parks & Recreation to run McCowan aquatics and rec center after heated debate
Summary
By a 4-3 vote the city council directed the Parks and Recreation Department to operate the new McCowan Park Aquatics and Recreation Center rather than contract immediate third‑party management; the decision followed lengthy public comment and council exchanges about marketing, data ownership and staffing.
After extended public comment and a longer council debate, the DeSoto City Council voted 4-3 to authorize the Parks and Recreation Department to operate and maintain the new aquatics and recreation center at McCowan Park rather than immediately awarding a management contract to Sports Facilities Management LLC (SFM).
What the council decided Council directed staff to proceed with in-house operation of the facility under the FY 2026 budget assumptions. The motion to allow Parks & Recreation to manage the facility carried 4-3 after members debated whether to hire an experienced third-party sports-facility operator who would bring national marketing and sponsorship capabilities.
Public comment and testimony Five community speakers were listed on the sign-up for this item; three spoke in…
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