SCUC ISD outlines $81 million athletics facilities plan to address safety, capacity and turf needs

Schertz‑Cibolo‑Universal City Independent School District athletic leaders presented a long‑range facilities plan Oct. 17 that identifies safety, capacity and program needs across the district’s four secondary campuses and stadiums and includes an initial order‑of‑magnitude cost estimate of about $81 million.

Coach/Director Linhof and facilities lead Mr. Mosley told trustees the presentation came from a months‑long review of existing conditions and program demands. They said high participation numbers — including nearly 1,000 students trying out at some campuses — and frequent use of fields and courts have strained facilities. Key needs called out included increasing bleacher capacity at stadiums, resurfacing or replacing turf fields at the typical 10‑ to 12‑year lifecycle, repairing or rebuilding aging tennis courts affected by expansive soils, adding cooling or shaded “multipurpose activity centers,” upgrading visitor and media spaces and replacing obsolete scoreboard/video equipment.

The presentation broke needs into safety, program effectiveness/efficiency and community experience. Examples cited: temporary bleachers that have been used for 15 years at one stadium, limited separation between spectators and players, six medical incidents during a large event that highlighted communication and access challenges, and asphalt tennis courts with 20–25 year lifespans now showing cracking related to soil movement.

District staff offered campus‑level cost orders of magnitude — turf and track work, new scoreboards, restroom and concession relocations, press‑box upgrades, and weight‑room and equipment replacement — and said the consolidated estimate across identified projects is about $81 million. When trustees asked whether that figure included slide‑by‑slide line items, staff confirmed it was a campus‑by‑campus total and described the number as a starting point subject to further design and cost refinement. Staff cautioned trustees that the figures were construction‑cost estimates only and did not include all soft costs, and that final budgets could shift 20–40% after architects and procurement decisions.

Trustees asked about staffing and coaching capacity at the middle‑school level and whether new sports or additional teams would require more staff. Linhof said the district has added coaching stipends over time and believes current staffing is appropriate for today’s programs but that future program expansion would be discussed as part of planning. Board members pressed for more detail on phasing, funding options and metrics to prioritize projects.

The district indicated the athletics plan will be reviewed over the next several months, presented to advisory committees in February, and used to inform long‑range planning and potential bond conversations. No formal action was taken; the presentation will inform later budget and bond planning.