Alpine ISD proposes partnership with city to upgrade Manuel Payne Field for youth and school softball

Alpine Independent School District staff told the City Council they want to partner with the city to improve Manuel Payne Field at Kirkconotte Park, restore the field as a home venue for middle and high‑school softball teams and eventually host youth and school tournaments.

"We really see this as an opportunity to invest both school district in much needed improvements for our community youth athletic facilities," said the district representative, summarizing three improvement buckets: the playing surface (including gopher control and infield dirt work), infrastructure (scoreboard replacement and backstop fencing) and fan experience (additional seating and shade). The district emphasized the project could be phased over multiple years.

School staff said multiple funding sources would be needed. The district listed potential contributors including its own fund balance or a facilities loan, fundraising and labor from community volunteers and possible city contributions such as hotel occupancy tax funds or reserves. The district also cited past philanthropic success: a $600,000 private investment used to install playgrounds.

District officials estimated an initial scope of work would require "at least a couple 100,000 that we would be wanting to invest in this," and said the cost could be substantially higher if turf is chosen instead of grass. The turf option was described as more expensive — potentially raising the total to over $700,000 — but with lower long‑term maintenance; district staff noted turf lifespans vary but cited an example of a 10‑year expected life.

City public‑works staff said the department can support sidewalks and parking improvements and recommended convening interested stakeholders to define priorities, phasing and budgets. The Big Bend Amateur Softball Association’s president, Rush Carter, said the association has helped maintain the field and that tournament play would require having two playable fields in the complex.

Council members generally supported the proposal and asked for a convening of stakeholders. The district said it will hold a community meeting in about two to three weeks (likely at Alpine High School) to develop detailed proposals and phased cost estimates, then return to the council with specific options and funding scenarios. The district suggested a possible goal of completing phase 1 by spring, with the aim of near‑term improvements and a longer‑term plan for turf or other major upgrades.

Council and school leaders discussed governance and recommended an agreement — an interlocal agreement or memorandum of understanding — to document access, funding commitments and maintenance responsibilities so future councils and district boards have a clear plan to follow.