Sugar Land reviews feasibility study for TD Harman senior center expansion; council favors options that keep the center open during construction

At a June 23 council workshop, Sugar Land officials reviewed a final feasibility study and three development scenarios for the TD Harman senior center intended to address rising demand for senior programming.

Kimberly Terrell, director of park recreation, told the council the study is an exploratory planning document and “this isn't authorization to move to the next step,” adding that any funding or formal decisions would come later. Terrell said program participation and membership have roughly doubled over the past five years, producing wait lists for popular classes and persistent capacity constraints.

BRW Architects presented three scenarios. Emily of BRW summarized Scenario A as an addition and renovation that would add about 10,800 ft² to the existing roughly 10,700 ft² facility for a total of about 21,000 ft² and a recommended occupancy near 765. The firm said Scenario A would meet most current needs and be the lowest‑cost option, but it would require closing the existing center for an estimated 12 to 18 months, displacing programming.

“Renovation would not be possible to operate while this was under construction,” BRW said, noting hazards, dust and safety concerns that make continuous operation infeasible. Council members cautioned that a prolonged closure risked losing regular users who consider the center their second home.

Scenario B described a ground‑up single‑story building (presented at about 19,800 ft²) that could be built while leaving the existing facility open; BRW said it offers a more efficient layout, larger multi‑purpose rooms and middle‑range cost. Scenario C is a two‑story new building (presentation cited roughly 30,000–35,000 ft² and a program occupancy near 980) designed to accommodate growth and add amenities such as an indoor walking loop and expanded event space, with the highest cost.

Council discussion focused on whether the primary shortfall is overall building capacity or the availability of appropriately sized rooms during peak hours. Staff estimated current building capacity at roughly 300–350 but noted that total daily check‑ins translate to about 100–150 people at a given time; some popular classes alone draw 45–60 participants. Councilmembers described the attachment seniors have to the existing center and warned that closing it for a long renovation could permanently reduce attendance. “If we do that, I would be very concerned that some of those people would never come back,” one councilmember said.

Staff flagged additional site considerations including parking constraints for larger scenarios and optional site amenities (a separate pool building, pickleball courts, pavilion) that would add cost. Benchmarking showed operating an expanded center would require roughly doubling staff from current levels (from two full‑time to about four full‑time equivalents plus part‑time support). Ballpark construction cost ranges discussed in the meeting were reported in the transcript between about $16 million and $24 million depending on scope and included options.

No funding decision or formal action was taken. Staff said next steps will be to pursue funding conversations, explore grant opportunities and return with design documents if the council elects to move forward; possible funding pathways mentioned included grants (Texas Parks & Wildlife and other sources), HGAC programs and a future bond election.

The council did not take a vote on the study at the workshop; the discussion closed with general direction to continue planning and to bring back additional cost and operational details if the city pursues design work.