The Buda City Council unanimously approved a schematic design for the Buda Sportsplex renovation and authorized an agreement with DCS Engineering, LLC during its Jan. 21 meeting.
The overview
The renovation plan includes a quadplex for softball or baseball, adding four new fields to the existing four, the renovation of four soccer fields, and the addition of four volleyball courts and eight pickleball courts, according to a City Council presentation.
The plan also features additional parking, increasing the total to 860 spaces, along with 15 RV spots, 10 batting cages, ticketing and rental facilities, and multiple concession stands. Four of the RV spots will be dual-purpose, allowing for food truck use, according to Darren Strozewski, founder and CEO of DCS Engineering.
Currently, the sportsplex is expected to be only 21% impervious cover with multiple wet ponds, along with drainage improvements, according to Strozewski.
The sportsplex could attract up to 11,000 visitors during peak usage, according to the City Council presentation.
The plan is anticipated to be finalized by the city by June 15, according to the City Council presentation. The project is being funded through the city, the Buda Economic Development Corporation, and the Parks Capital Fund for a total of $6.7 million.
The total proposed contract with DCS Engineering is approximately $1.2 million, according to agenda documents, with the previous preliminary design contract making the total amount paid to DCS Engineering around $1.33 million.
With no delays, construction on the softball or baseball facilities is expected to finish by March 31, 2026, while soccer, pickleball, and volleyball facilities are projected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2026.
Digging deeper
According to the agenda item, the sportsplex has the potential to become a cornerstone of the community’s economic and recreational landscape and with renovations, it can fulfill its original purpose as an economic driver.
Sports events and tourism have been on the rise in recent years, proving increasingly beneficial. In 2023, the sports tourism sector generated $52.2 billion in direct spending, resulting in a total economic impact of $128 billion, supporting approximately 757,600 jobs and contributing $20.1 billion in total tax revenue, according to a Sports Events & Tourism Association State of the Industry report.
Background
The Buda Sportsplex, located at 310 Buda Sportsplex Drive, near Dahlstrom Middle School and the Hays Communities YMCA, was originally built in 2007. It was envisioned as a key economic driver for the city but fell short due to outdated facilities and equipment, according to city documents.
After soliciting proposals in October, the city evaluated firms and authorized contract negotiations with DCS Engineering at its Dec. 3, meeting. A preliminary contract was executed for approximately $82,000.
Notable quote
City Manager Micah Grau said he wants to make sure the project serves the council’s vision and the community.
“I think that was something that was short-sighted the first time we did the sportsplex—there was a masterplan but it wasn’t fully designed, it was just a vision,” Grau said. “So, this gets us further down the road with that vision with a fully-designed project.”
