DeSoto officials give construction update on McAllen Park aquatics and recreation center; project listed at $55 million

DeSoto officials told the City Council on March 17 that the McAllen Park Aquatics and Recreation Center remains under construction with officials planning for substantial completion in December and planning additional project milestones into March 2026.

The project matters to the city because city leaders and staff expect the mixed wet/dry recreation center to be a regional draw, to support tournaments and job creation, and to generate ongoing economic activity tied to hotels and local businesses. Parks Director Chris Glover said the facility is “uniquely DeSoto” and will include an Olympic-size pool, a recreation pool, a gymnasium with an upstairs track and fitness area, multipurpose rooms, and a terrace that connects to the park’s trails.

Glover said the project design separates a “dry side” with gymnasium, track and fitness spaces from a “wet side” with an Olympic pool and recreational pool. He described concessions and a food-truck area that can accommodate up to four food trucks, a multipurpose civic area and planned amenities such as saunas and terrace seating with large windows.

On costs and schedule, Glover said the city began with an earlier figure of about $52.5 million, and that the current estimate of completion is $55 million. He said project spending currently accounts for roughly 92.58% of the budgeted total and that, “As of right now, if everything continues to go as planned, yes. We’re gonna be $2,000,000 under budget for this particular project.” He also told council the project is expected to create “anywhere from 70 to 100 jobs.”

Council members pressed staff on what the project’s LEED credentials will mean for operating costs and on design choices such as bird-friendly glass. Glover said LEED-certified features — including building orientation and use of daylighting and solar design — should reduce electrical costs over time. He said bird-friendly glass was not part of the LEED requirements for this building and that, given current budget planning, the feature is not included but could be considered later if funds remain.

Council members also asked about supply-chain and tariff risk. Glover described the construction as a guaranteed-maximum-price contract and said the contractor and city purchased many long-lead items early in the schedule to reduce exposure to rising tariffs. He described Manhattan (the contractor) and its experience on large projects as a reason for confidence and noted both contractor and owner contingencies remain in place.

City staff said basic electrification infrastructure for vehicle charging will be included in the construction so stations can be added later; battery storage for solar or direct-pay solar incentives were not part of the current scope. Glover said furniture and equipment timing is being coordinated so the building can be outfitted once substantial completion is achieved.

The city reported Park Board involvement: the Parks Board has contributed $2 million toward the project and, according to staff, committed to pay roughly $1 million per year for 20 years toward maintenance of the facility. Glover and council members said the Parks Board will continue to be engaged as the project finishes.

Glover closed by reminding council the project web site is updated weekly and that residents may follow construction progress there.

Speakers quoted in this story are members of the meeting record: Chris Glover, Parks Director; MD Hussain, City Engineer; Council Member Parett Parker; Council Member Crystal Chisholm; Council Member Diana Marks; and Mayor Rachel Proctor.