The Northeast Independent School District board on Tuesday approved a lease agreement with Morgan’s Wonderland that will allow the nonprofit to build and operate expanded sports and recreation facilities on district land adjacent to Heroes Stadium, the board voted 6-1.

The agreement, presented by Morgan’s representatives Gordon Hartman and Dr. Brent Fields, includes about $8.5 million in site improvements the nonprofit said it will pay for. Those improvements described in the presentation include about 500 additional parking spaces, shaded seating and restrooms near field-event pits, relocation and upgrades to the district’s shot/discus/javelin pits, and expansions to the existing Morgan Sports complex including new indoor court space and additional pickleball and tennis courts. Morgan’s team also proposed a new, roughly 25,000-square-foot fitness center and other campus amenities the group described as accessible and free for students with disabilities.

The contract was the subject of extended board discussion. Supporters said the work would add capacity, shade and safety near Hero Stadium and build inclusive indoor and outdoor recreation that would be open to NEISD students and the public. Gordon Hartman said Morgan’s would fund the improvements and manage programming, and Dr. Brent Fields described plans for a climate-controlled gym and an inclusive fitness center that he said Morgan’s will build at its expense. “We think that’s just a great new asset,” Fields said during his presentation.

Several trustees pressed for clarity on financial and operational details. Trustee Villareal said she supported Morgan’s mission but objected to what she described as a 75-year lease for a dollar in the draft agreement and said she could not “in good conscience” approve such a long lease while the district planned a large bond request to taxpayers. Morgan’s representatives responded that they had no plan to leave and that, if they did, they would leave buildings in place rather than demolish them.

After discussion and several clarifying questions about construction timelines and upkeep responsibilities, Trustee Thompson moved to approve the agreement; Trustee Villareal seconded. The motion passed 6 to 1.

What the agreement requires: the board was provided a copy of the lease as part of the packet and was told that Morgan’s would pay the capital cost for the improvements described by its presenters. Trustees were told some work would be completed on different schedules: Morgan’s representatives said expansions to the existing sports complex should be completed by October, the parking lot work is planned for 2026 and the relocated track/field pits would be later in the multiyear schedule. Morgan’s said it would cover construction costs and that maintenance responsibilities would be shared, with Morgan’s covering initial construction and the parties coordinating upkeep.

Supporters and the district highlighted the partnership’s accessibility focus. Morgan’s noted in its presentation that many facilities and programs will be free for students with disabilities and available to the broader community. Opponents and one trustee warned about long-term commitments and the political optics of granting long leases while asking voters for a bond.

The board vote authorizes execution of the lease agreement presented at the meeting. The district and Morgan’s will follow the contract’s terms for implementation, timelines and shared maintenance; trustees asked staff to track construction schedules and to return with any required follow-up documents.

Speakers and attendees who spoke on the item included Morgan’s representatives Gordon Hartman and Dr. Brent Fields, Superintendent Doctor Micah, President Beyer and Trustees Thompson, Villareal, Chigi, Shelton, Cox and others who asked technical questions during the discussion.

The board’s approval means Morgan’s can proceed with the improvements and expanded programming outlined in its presentation; the district will monitor execution and maintenance arrangements as the projects move forward.