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DeSoto updates aquatics center, trails and parks initiatives; $55 million construction, March 2026 target and naming‑rights RFP discussed
Summary
Parks Director Chris Glover told the council April 14 that the aquatics and natatorium project is on track for substantial completion in December 2025 and an opening expected in March 2026, with construction cost budgeted at $55 million.
Parks Director Chris Glover updated the City Council on April 14 on the status of the city’s aquatics and natatorium project, the trails master plan and several parks initiatives including business engagement and a proposed parks foundation.
Glover said the aquatics and natatorium project is on schedule for substantial completion in December 2025 and a planned public opening in March 2026. Construction cost is $55,000,000 under a guaranteed maximum price, he said. The project’s feasibility study estimates annual operating costs near $3,000,000; Glover told council the city will pursue revenue offsets and explore issuing an RFP to test private operational proposals.
On fundraising and naming rights, Glover said the city previously issued an RFP and received responses but paused because the terms were not favorable; he said staff will reissue a request seeking a firm to pursue philanthropic and naming opportunities. He told council there are conversations with potential corporate partners and said the city had discussed models ranging from more modest naming rights to deeper partner relationships that could include facility operations.
Glover also presented an update on trails and a planned loop around the city. He reported the city currently has about 14.85 miles of existing trails and has identified approximately 13.3 miles of additional segments that would complete a loop. The city has submitted a TxDOT grant application and will, if awarded, need to use some local funds for design, environmental work and right‑of‑way work to move quickly under the grant’s reimbursement schedule. Glover said the city plans to combine some grant phases into a single application to meet project caps.
Other parks items included a spring cleanup tied to the Keep DeSoto Beautiful program, an effort to create a 501(c)(3) parks foundation to make charitable contributions tax‑deductible for donors, and a business‑engagement “Business Buzz” concept to show local companies how events and tournaments drive patronage. Glover said the department plans to use third‑party data to demonstrate value to prospective business contributors.
Ending: Council asked for expedited issuance of the naming‑rights RFP and for more detail on operating cost assumptions; no contract awards or budget changes were approved at the meeting.
