Pflugerville City Council established the name of the new multigenerational recreation center at its meeting Feb. 25. The building is a part of the Downtown East project, an endeavor to create a new city center.
"We're at the point in the process where it's time to name the recreation center," Pflugerville Special Projects Manager Breanna Higgins said.
The specifics
Council voted 6 to 1 to approve "The Monarch" as the name for the new multigenerational recreation center, with Place 6 Council Member David Rogers voting against.
The name is an acronym, meaning:
- Movement
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Adventure
- Recreation
- Community
- Health
"The reason for the monarch is going to think about what we want this space to be," Higgins said at the Feb. 25 meeting. "A space of transformation, space of new beginnings, a space of health and wellness."
The multigenerational recreation center, with a kids zone, lazy river and e-games room, is designed to serve people of all ages and abilities.
What they're saying
Feedback from City Council was mixed at the meeting. Rogers asked city staff to reconsider the name, with concerns it sounded too close to "monarchy," and "sends a mixed message."
Mayor Pro Tem Kimberly Holiday said she supported the new name.
"It kind of makes me think about our city of Pflugerville," Holiday said. "I think The Monarch, it feels really good, and most people probably think about the butterfly first."
About the project
The city broke ground on Downtown East, an initiative to develop the Pfluger Tract, in December 2024. The groundbreaking marked the beginning of Phase 1, which will include:
- Extending Main Street eastward to FM 685
- Constructing a new city hall
- A multigenerational recreation center, including retail space
- A civic plaza, including outdoor gathering spaces, a stage and performance area
- Additional parking and infrastructure
