The long-awaited Zipp Family Sports Park, located at the corner of Klein Road and FM 1044, has received an additional $3.5 million in funding from the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation as it nears its groundbreaking this fall following City Council action Aug. 14.

The background

The city purchased the land for the sports park through the 2013 bond, according to a presentation by assistant city manager Jordan Matney, followed by a legacy donation of 25 acres from the Zipp family.

The initial budget of the project was set at $25.7 million, including:

• $10.7 million provided through the voter approved 2019 bond
• $15 million committed by the NBEDC

The park is slated to have sports fields, concession stands, restrooms, native landscaping and parking.

The current situation

In July, the EDC and City Council received an update on the park and its estimated cost which presented a budget deficit.

"We started to have concerns with the budget of this project, we had some inflationary concerns and some site constraints that added to the budget," Matney said.

The additional funding will go toward construction costs for:

• planting
• turf
• irrigation
• landscaping for 10 sports fields
• parking areas

Next steps

The EDC is set to host an open house regarding the park and recent updates Aug. 29 at the New Braunfels Food Bank. The goal is to break ground on the park's construction this fall.