Prosper, Texas – Prosper Independent School District has unveiled plans to invest nearly $100 million into building a high school football stadium with an 8,000-person seating capacity. This ambitious project would set the record for the most expensive high school stadium in Texas, a state renowned for its grand high school football celebrations and traditions.
A reflection of the community’s enthusiastic support for such ventures, the school district’s existing Children’s Health Stadium at PISD, which came with a price tag of $49 million and opened in 2019, was passed with a robust 85% voter approval. This previous stadium, which seats 12,000 people, has already placed the district in the spotlight by being the sixth most expensive stadium in history.
More than just a stadium
Prosper Independent School District (PISD) spokesperson, Rachel Trotter, emphasized that the new stadium project aims to be far more than merely a venue for sports events. She describes the endeavor as creating the “district’s largest classroom.” This educational and experiential perspective considers various hands-on learning opportunities for students, such as managing concession stands, band performances, presentations by the JROTC, and journalism students engaging in real-world media production, controlling jumbotrons, graphics, photography, and videography during events.
In addition to its educational utility, the stadium is also envisioned to serve as a versatile space for community events, graduations, and regional happenings, such as soccer matches, track & field activities, and band competitions, thereby becoming a focal point for both school and community interactions.
Budget breakdown and upcoming bond election
This proposed stadium, which includes an 8-lane track and state-of-the-art amenities, such as a substantial video board and an upscale press box, is part of Proposition C in an upcoming bond election. Totalling $102,425,000, Proposition C also allocates funds for updates to existing facilities within the district, including new tracks and renovations to artificial turf. The proposed stadium, if approved, is slated to open in 2025, concurrently with a new high school.
Prosper’s dedication to educational and community development doesn’t stop there. Another substantial proposition, Prop A, which totals $2.4 billion, envisions the establishment of six new elementary schools, two middle schools, a new high school, and the completion of another high school, illustrating a comprehensive and future-forward vision for the district’s educational infrastructure.
In a state where high school football often takes center stage, Prosper’s new project not only underscores this enthusiasm but also extends its utility towards education, community engagement, and multifaceted development, all while being mindful of providing various learning experiences for students.