Angleton Better Living Corporation board members on Sept. 2 discussed three capital-improvement priorities — a proposed sixth field for the Bates Park softball complex, regrading at the BGPEC soccer complex, and a full replacement of the Freedom Park playground — and asked staff to return with firmer cost estimates and financing options.

Why it matters: each project affects recreational capacity, tournament hosting and safety. Tom Patterson, identified in the meeting as president of Angleton Softball, said that adding a sixth field is a prerequisite for hosting national youth softball tournaments: “If we had 6 fields, we would literally have up to 50 to 60 teams,” he said, describing the local economic and community benefits.

Staff presented early estimates. Two vendors gave preliminary quotes for a six-field addition: Paragon Sports Contractors initially priced the work at about $473,000; with some site-labor reductions (local contractors to do concrete and fencing work and AGSA to pre-cut infields) Paragon’s scope narrowed toward roughly $291,000. Another vendor (listed as Texas Multichem) returned a broader $400,000–$700,000 range depending on scope. Staff noted a recent local fence replacement at $17,000 as an example of local-capacity savings.

BGPEC soccer complex: HDR produced phased design-and-construction documents for full regrading to improve drainage and playability. HDR’s opinion of probable cost for all four phases is about $1.3 million; phase 1 is roughly $404,000. Staff recommended bidding phase 1 with add-alternatives for later phases if additional funding becomes available, and warned that contractors on a single larger contract typically reduce overall costs versus repeated small contracts.

Freedom Park playground: staff said the existing playground, installed in February 2009, has surpassed the department’s 15-year replacement guideline and shows increasing corrosion and component failures. Burdett playground pricing used for Abigail Park suggests a like-for-like replacement would be roughly $325,000–$400,000; a full upgraded pour-and-play installation could exceed $400,000–$500,000. Staff told the board a full replacement would be the best long-term investment, but acknowledged it is the most expensive option.

Funding and next steps: staff reminded the board that total available ABLC fund balance for FY ’26 is limited — projection roughly $360,000 — and $300,000 was being held as contingency for next year. Staff recommended deeper vendor outreach for lower-cost local options, pursuing corporate sponsorships and discussing a future bond issuance with the city’s finance advisor, Joe Morrow, if the board wished to pursue larger multi-project funding. Board members favored prioritizing the sixth softball field for near-term work to retain tournament opportunities and asked staff to return with firm bid-ready numbers and an analysis of bonding options.

Quotes from participants were limited to attendees: Dustin Mercado, president of Angleton Soccer Club, said the soccer complex has grown steadily and confirmed drainage was the main barrier to hosting larger tournaments. “We’ve been growing continually,” Mercado said; he described a recent Eastern District event that drew thousands of patrons. Tom Patterson urged prioritizing the softball field so Angleton can host national youth tournaments in future seasons.

Ending: staff will further refine cost estimates, contact local contractors for reduced scopes, and — if directed by the board — consult with the city finance advisor about bond options and timing. The board did not take a formal funding vote on the projects at the Sept. 2 meeting.