City Council members voted unanimously at a Sept. 6 meeting to purchase the former Covenant Church and the surrounding 15 acres at 3508 Glade Road for $8.5 million. The city plans to spend another $1.5 million on renovations, according to information from the meeting.
“Please know that this council [and] this staff has analyzed every single little detail to make sure that this is a good decision for our wonderful city of Colleyville,” Mayor Bobby Lindamood said.
He said during the meeting that Covenant Church officials approached the council about their desire to sell the property. Colleyville has been looking at providing a recreation center for residents since the 2018 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan showed the community wanted more recreational options, the mayor said. Lindamood stated a 2019 citizen survey showed while residents wanted a new facility, they did not want to spend a high amount of money.
Colleyville recently invested $4.65 million in senior center renovations as part of its master plan.
Once the sale is complete, renovations will include removing carpet in the main worship room, refinishing hardwood flooring, removing a wall between the basketball gym and teen worship room, and adding a fence along Glade Road for safety, according to the meeting’s presentation.
The facility will consist of a large primary structure, a secondary building and athletic fields. The main worship room in the primary building will have a full-size gymnasium with two basketball courts. The gym will also be equipped to play volleyball and pickleball. The building also includes 10 classrooms, several flexible-use rooms, a full-size kitchen and another small gym.
Annual operation costs are estimated at $262,272, the presentation stated.
The Colleyville Parks and Recreation Department coordinates programs, such as basketball and volleyball, with Grapevine-Colleyville ISD to use school gyms and other facilities.
Lindamood said the city’s partnership with GCISD has become difficult to manage with tight schedules and increased school security protocols. Parks and recreation staff reported about 25% of events are delayed because of prior events running long, and about 10% of events are canceled due to gym conflicts.
Lindamood said increased security has made GCISD’s facilities “unsustainable” for the city as it increases the number of full-time employees who must be on-site and other safety requirements.
The center’s renovations are eligible for tax increment financing funds. The center will not have membership fees for Colleyville residents, Lindamood said.
“We’re so excited to be able to share this exciting news with everyone,” Lindamood said. “Colleyville is blessed again.”
