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Austin ISD tells Tourism Commission district facilities and parking can support events, produce revenue
Summary
Austin ISD staff told the commission that 116 campuses and about 20 additional district facilities are available for rental outside school hours, generated about $1.8 million last year for campuses, and could support sports, arts and film-related tourism in partnership with Visit Austin and local hotels.
Jeremy Striffler, Austin ISD director of real estate, told the Austin Tourism Commission on April 9 that the district makes school facilities available for public rental outside school hours and that rentals return revenue directly to campuses and programs.
“At the district, all our facilities are available for use by the public outside of regular school hours,” Striffler said. He told commissioners the district lists spaces on an online rental platform and that last year campus rentals generated more than $1.8 million, with proceeds going back to campuses, athletics and fine-arts programs.
The nut graf: Striffler and ISD staff presented facilities ranging from stadiums and gymnasiums to the Mueller-based Performing Arts Center (PAC). They urged the commission and Visit Austin to promote those assets as venues for athletic tournaments, performing-arts events, film scouts and other tourism-generating activity — particularly while the downtown convention center is offline for renovation.
Jason Glenn, Austin ISD executive director of athletics, described marquee athletic venues such as House Park and Nelson Field and said college teams and commercial producers have expressed interest in renting those fields for practice and shoots. Brad Distelhorst, PAC coordinator, summarized the PAC’s capacity: a 1,221-seat main hall, a 200-seat black-box theater, a 5,200-square-foot stage and an outdoor plaza; the PAC hosts about 80 events a year and has produced sold-out student productions.
Striffler highlighted Facilitron, the district’s online reservation system, as a single point of entry where event organizers can view availability, book spaces and arrange insurance and payment. He and commissioners discussed the timing constraints (campuses are generally available evenings and weekends) and the district’s interest in recurring partnerships such as UIL competitions and athletic tournaments that bring multi‑day stays and hotel room nights.
Ending: Commissioners and staff noted that district parking, buses and facilities are underused assets for tourism and events. Commissioners encouraged ISD to coordinate with Visit Austin and the TPID and suggested the district explore naming-rights deals and other earned-revenue strategies to support schools. “That brings in revenue for that goes right back to our students' education experience,” Striffler said.
