Balch Springs to finish current field renovations; council asks staff to return with soccer plan
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Summary
The City Council directed staff to continue with Type B board and staff recommendations to complete the current field renovation project (two additional baseball/softball fields) and to bring a soccer‑fields plan back for future consideration after staff analysis and possible trail redesign.
Balch Springs city staff told the council Nov. 10 that the city has several park projects under way and needs direction on whether to reallocate funds toward a soccer complex or finish previously budgeted field renovations.
Staff told the council that $750,000 is currently earmarked to complete two additional baseball/softball fields (fields 3 and 4). The city also reported a preliminary $6,400,000 construction award for a 3.7‑mile regional trail partnership with Dallas County, with $439,000 set aside for right‑of‑way acquisition and $38,000 available through the Type B board for park projects.
"We have 750,000 earmarked, that was set aside, that was set aside for the baseball field space," said a city staff presenter. Councilmember Patino moved to allocate some of the field funds toward soccer fields; the motion was seconded and then amended to follow the staff/Type B board recommendation to proceed with the full field renovations now and bring a soccer‑fields proposal back to council for consideration. The amended motion passed.
Council members voiced several practical concerns: completing work already under way; parking shortfalls at Oak Ridge Park; potential need to redesign the planned trail if soccer fields are added in the same footprint; and options to phase soccer amenities over multiple fiscal years. Staff said competitive bids through the BuyBoard had shown higher estimates for a multi‑field soccer complex and that using contractors would be required for construction.
The council asked staff to return with a plan that describes costs, impacts on the trail alignment, and a timeline if council wants to pursue soccer fields; in the meantime staff will proceed with the funded field‑renovation work.