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Council backs architect engagement, grant pursuit for proposed Bellemead recreation complex
Summary
The council endorsed moving forward with architect plans and pursuing a large Texas Parks and Wildlife grant to support a proposed activity center and ball fields on a site off Duggar Street and Pecan Lane; public input favored multiuse fields and commented on vendor access.
The Bellemead City Council authorized staff to engage the project architect and pursue a large Texas Parks and Wildlife grant after reviewing a preliminary concept for a new operations building, activity center and multiple athletic fields at a site that ties to Pecan Lane and Duggar Street.
City staff and architect David Nesbitt presented a high-level schematic showing three primary components: a north operations building with a secure maintenance yard and limited public parking; a mid-site activity center with gym space sized in the presentation at roughly 19,000 square feet (Rice said that could be reduced to about 15,000 and still accommodate two courts); and a cluster of fenced ball/field spaces with a restroom/concession building and roughly 44 parking spaces in the concept. The architect said the activity center can be configured for basketball, volleyball or other indoor sports and that fields could be adapted for future expansion or alternate sports (soccer was discussed by commenters).
City Manager Zachary told council that Bellemead likely cannot fund a full buildout from the city tax base alone and asked for authorization to pursue a large Texas Parks and Wildlife grant and to engage the architect for cost estimates and final plans that would be required for grant submission. He also suggested that any city funding match later be put to a public vote rather than be approved solely by council.
A public hearing on the conceptual plan drew supportive comments from residents and vendors. Baltimore Dominguez said he liked the concept and asked the council to consider opportunities for mobile food operators to serve future park users. Henry Jennings urged the council to include at least one soccer field because he said many youth prefer soccer to baseball. Other speakers voiced general support for improved facilities for youth.
The council voted to approve authorization to engage the architect and pursue the large TPWD grant (recorded as RS2025-018 in staff remarks). The motion passed on a roll call with all council members recorded as voting yes.
