Rowlett council backs Community Park plan, urges soils test before rink demolition

Rowlett City Council on Monday signaled support for placing a replacement roller-hockey rink at Community Park and for pursuing a secondary access along Rainey Road, while staff completes soil testing and design work before demolition of the current rink at Hereford Park.

The move comes after weeks of public pressure from Rowlett Hockey League players, parents and board members who urged the council not to remove the existing rink until a replacement is fully ready. "Wait to tear the existing rink down before the new one can be built," said Jonathan Blakey, a Rowlett Hockey League board member, coach and parent.

Deputy City Manager Christoph Bauer described staff’s preferred location and timeline during a staff presentation. "We do have $442,000 remaining in funding for this project," Bauer said, and added the city's current cost estimate "are between $163,000 and $200,000 to get that done in 45 days." Bauer told council the 45-day build estimate is contingent on an approved soils test and other design tasks.

Nut graf: The council did not take formal action to adopt a final site or schedule but gave staff direction to proceed with soil testing, continue design work for Community Park and to keep the hockey league involved in planning. Councilmembers and staff repeatedly stressed the need to avoid leaving the league without a rink if possible.

Council and staff said Community Park offers amenities—parking, lighting and restrooms—that make it the most viable option compared with other sites previously considered, including Katy Railroad Park where staff found poor soils and insufficient parking. Bauer said staff would complete surveys to resolve right-of-way issues on Rainey Road and pursue that as an enhancement to reduce congestion at the park’s main entrance; however, Rainy/Rainey Road access is not required to build the rink.

Multiple speakers from the hockey community told council the existing rink serves nearly 100 young players and that tearing it down before a new rink is ready would cost the league a season and could cause long-term decline in participation. "If this league misses a season, players and parents that spend money at Rowlett merchants ... will go north and play and never come back," Jonathan Blakey said.

Council members requested regular updates and continued engagement with Rowlett Hockey leadership. Bauer said staff will complete soils testing (expected in roughly two weeks after authorization) and return to council if tests or other factors require a change in location.

Ending: Staff stated it will keep the hockey league apprised, phase demolition work to minimize downtime if possible, and return to council with soils results and any necessary alternatives. No formal vote was recorded at Monday’s meeting; council direction was recorded as consensus to proceed with the steps described.