WISD partners with WYSA to bring youth sports fields
The first steps have been taken to create brand new youth sports playing fields on land owned by Wimberley ISD.
At a special-called meeting on August 30, the WISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the district and Wimberley Youth Sports Association. The MOU calls for the two entities to collaborate on the creation of youth sports fields on approximately 20 acres of land near WISD’s Blue Hole Primary School, generally at the intersection of Ranch Road 12 and Winters Mill Parkway. Within the agreement, WISD would provide the needed land at a leased cost of $1 per year, and WYSA will provide the funding for the construc tion of all facilities.
“We’ve been working with WYSA for the past two to three years - sharing facilities and struggling with conflicting schedules,” WISD Superintendent Dwain York said. “Increased facility space will be a huge benefit for our kids. It’ll also give our families better opportunities, because I know a lot of Wimberley families are traveling out of town for their kids to play sports, and if they can do it right here in Wimberley, that is ideal.”
WISD Board President Joe Malone added, “As a board member I’m always going to look for ways to give the kids of our community more opportunities. This partnership with WYSA is a perfect example of that. More kids will have opportunities to learn, play, and grow in ways that aren’t as accessible to them now. Having first-class facilities available for our kids and our community ends up benefiting all of us, and I’m happy to play a role in making that happen.”
Preliminary plans for the facility call for four youth baseball/softball fields arranged in a clover pattern, all with 225 foot fence lines. There will also be two 100-yard multipurpose fields, designed for football, soccer, or other uses. “WYSA has enjoyed a great partnership with WISD,” WYSA President Kelly Latz said. “It’s a logical connection as we serve the same youth and their families in our community. And now WYSA is very excited to have an opportunity to grow that relationship with this project. WYSA has been blessed to enjoy tremendous increases in participation in our programs. With that growth WYSA needs more space for our programs. This project has the potential to be a huge benefit for our community as we continue to grow.”
The proposed complex will also have dedicated space for parking, and an additional space allotment reserved for future growth. The plan also calls for the proposed fields to all be turf, with an eye toward water conservation. “WYSA has been serving the youth of Wimberley since 1971. During this time we have experienced amazing growth including double the amount of registrations in the past 10 years. Providing a location to serve our programs has become challenging. Our longstanding relationship with WISD was a perfect partnership to continue growing programs for the youth of Wimberley. We are honored to partner with Wimberley ISD and look forward to the possibilities in the future,” said WYSA member Jarred Robinson.
WISD Board member Will Conley added, “As our community continues to grow it is vital we provide high levels of services for our children. The historic potential partnership between WYSA, WISD, and Hays County leverages citizens’ tax dollars in a way to provide these wonderful services and opportunities for the children of the Wim berley Valley.”
The funds for the project are not yet secured. WYSA presented the plan to the Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee on September 21 with the hope that funding could be secured through a grant from the Hays County 2020 Parks and Open Space Bond. A decision from the county is expected sometime this fall.
“It is great to see cooperation between the school district and WYSA, they have a great concept for a project that will provide increased opportunities for youth sports and recreation,” Hays County Commissioner Lon Shell said. “Though the parks’ bond process is ongoing and final recommendations have not been made, I am excited to see projects like this and the many others that will improve the quality of life for our residents.”