Kyle City Council approves beginnings of Kyle Sportsplex

KYLE — During the June 8 special meeting, Kyle City Council made several decisions to help bring the Kyle Sportsplex to fruition.

The council directed staff to do the following in order to further the project: bring a resolution authorizing the city manager to terminate the professional services agreement with Burditt Consulting, bring a resolution authorizing the issuance of a request for qualifications for professional design services at Lake Kensington Park and to direct staff to pursue an expanded complex for a potential bond in the upcoming election, all of which were presented to council at its June 18 meeting.

“Council has identified sports tourism as a goal,” began Rosie Truelove, director of administrative services, who stated that city staff consulted with Convention, Sports & Leisure International (CSL) to perform an economic impact analysis and found strong Kyle market indicators.

The study found that there is currently a limited existing youth and amateur sports complex, a rapidly growing industry and high demand and interest from the community.

The facility, which is funded partially by the 2020 parks bonds and in collaboration with Hays County, will be known as the Kyle Sportsplex and is planned to be located on 90 acres near FM 1626 and Jack C. Hays Trail.

Despite the cancellation of the Burditt Consulting agreement, which is due to council changing direction on the previously proposed community center, Truelove noted that “we will, though, get some value from this contract for approximately $12,000 out of the $125,000 that we had authorized,” which will be an onsite analysis and a desktop analysis. The first will expand on details of the environment, while the second focuses on the inclusion of waterline utility easements and transportation connectivity. Due to the language of the contract, the city will not have to pay the full amount, only the cost for the services used.

The report is expected to arrive to council prior to the next meeting.

Next, the Lake Kensington Park site has been identified at 2400 Dacy Lane, an 80-acre property. The RFQ is planned to be issued in July or August to bring back an award of a contract in the fall.

“The city of Kyle, through our 2024 strategic plan, has set forward a goal to establish and develop award-winning parks and engaging public spaces, ensuring accessibility and enjoyment for all residents,” said Truelove.

The expansion would consist of a $672,655 design services agreement with Stantec Consulting Services and would consist of seven design phases, according to agenda documents:

• Visioning and feasibility

• Discovery — foundation building and visioning plan

• Schematic design

• Design development

• Final design

• Permitting and bid support

• Construction phase services

“We anticipate phase one will be completed in August — that’s the work association with the bond election. Phases two and three are anticipated to take four to six months and we will bring back a contract amendment should we need to,” said Truelove.

“How much water do you think we would be needing for this sportsplex?” asked council Miguel Zuniga, who had several hesitations. “I’m so concerned that we’re in a water stage three right now.”

City manager Bryan Langley responded that this question cannot be answered until the city knows what it is building: “We’re looking at having the purple pipe going to that area. We believe it can be served by purple pipe.”

Purple pipe refers to the system that facilitates the redistribution of wastewater for non-consumption usage.

According to Langley, there can be a maintenance estimate given to the council during the design. There will also be community engagement to hear directly from the residents at a later time.

Zuniga made clear, as well, that the vote to begin design does not approve ice hockey rinks, as that was a previous concern.

He also expressed that there could be a hindrance to traffic patterns due to the location of the anticipated Lake Kensington Park, to which, again, city staff stated that solutions cannot be discussed until after a design team is selected.

The items were approved separately, to give an opportunity for council members to vary their vote if needed. The resolution to terminate services with Burditt Consulting was passed, 4-2, with Zuniga and council member Michael Tobias dissenting; the approval of an agreement with Stantec for $672,655 passed 5-1, with Zuniga voting nay, and the issuance of a RFQ for Lake Kensington Park passed 5-1, with Zuniga against the item. Despite the lack an audible vote from Mayor Travis Mitchell, he was counted as approving all three items. Council member Daniela Parsley did not attend the meeting.

Council will meet next on July 2.