Bryan ISD was provided updates by PBK Architects on Oct. 5 on the specifics of the design and finances of the $35.8 million Merrill Green Field House project before its final vote in November. (Courtesy of Bryan ISD)
Bryan ISD trustees received updated specifics of design and finances of the $35.8 million Merrill Green Field House project on Oct. 5, ahead of its final vote in November.
The gist
As previously reported by Community Impact, the 43,000 square-foot field house will serve Bryan and Rudder high school students and replace the current facility. The project is funded by Proposition B of the 2025 bond, which allocates $67 million to district-wide sports additions and improvements.
Deputy Superintendent Brian Merrell presented concept images and updated designs to the BISD board, including site and floor plans and the potential design of the field house exterior.
Zooming in
The field house’s weight room will feature a more open design with windows. Executive Director of Athletics Dereck Rush said the windows will add more motivation to get students to participate, along with helping create a more welcoming environment.
“Sunlight plays a huge psychological role in kids working out in the weight room,” Rush said. “Our coaches said they like the glass more than other design aspects of it.”
Merrell said the project is currently on schedule and within budget, but gathering materials could become difficult as the ongoing Terafab project in Grimes County progresses.
A concept of the new field house with a more open weight room.Courtesy of Bryan ISD
What the board is saying
Trustee Julie Harlin-Wolf said she wanted to make sure the field house represented all schools, but was also complimentary of the project’s current progress, as it approaches its November approval.
Meanwhile, Trustee Ruthie Waller said wheelchair accessibility should be kept in mind for the project, along with ADA compliance. Merrell said the site would have to be reconstructed, but that was the intention.
Also on the agenda
Bryan ISD received updates on its Virtual Academy enrollment and progress. As previously reported by Community Impact, the flexible online learning academy launched for the 2026-27 school year and originally received more than 230 applications.
Director of Advanced Academics Christina Richardson said while a few students have decided to return to in-person instruction, the district was able to recover students zoned for Bryan ISD schools who weren’t attending. Richardson mentioned students from College Station, Montgomery and other surrounding areas are in the program and the academy has six open seats.
Stay tuned
Merrell said the final designs will be approved during a November board meeting. Construction is expected to begin on the field house in February 2027.
