by Nicole Bradford
A planned expansion of the Hickory Slough Sportsplex is entering the design phase, expanding it from six to 12 multi-purpose fields.
“It will also expand the restrooms, concession area, parking lot and add lights to three existing fields as well as lights to the new fields,” City Manager Trent Epperson said.
Pearland City Council on Monday approved a $1.6 million contract with the Woodlands-based firm Kimley-Horn to design the expansion.
Originally part of the city’s 2023 bond program, the project is now funded through the Pearland Economic Development Corp.
“There is a way that we can spend money through the EDC to be able to work on parks,” Councilman Joseph Koza said. “So we were able to reduce our tax rate on the debt side.”
The fields are used for a variety of sports.
“Our staff is meeting with our end user groups that use this facility now to get input to inform the design moving forward,” Epperson said.
The design phase will take approximately one year before the project is bid and construction begins.