BLINN BOARD VOTES 5-2 TO AUTHORIZE NEXT STEPS FOR BRENHAM CAMPUS SPORTS COMPLEX
After extensive and divided discussion, the Blinn Board of Trustees moved 5-2 today (Tuesday) to proceed with plans to build a sports complex in Brenham.
and the field house that will be included as part of Blinn
College's sports complex project.
Trustees voted to execute a guaranteed maximum price with Bartlett Cocke General Contractors and agreements related to developing real property, as well as to seek proposals for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the complex.
The project is slated to include a synthetic turf practice football field; an eight-lane track; synthetic turf competition soccer and softball fields; a 28,500-square-foot field house with offices, locker rooms and training facilities; unconditioned storage buildings; 250 parking spaces; and utilities and landscaping. The College’s guaranteed maximum price target is $38,965,000. The current projected budget is $43,465,000, with soft costs of $4,500,000.
Trustees Richard O’Malley and Dr. Dennis Crowson voted against. Their votes followed calls to table the item that came from several residents whose neighborhood on Timber Oaks Drive sits just north of the land between Oak Tree Crossing Drive and Robert C. Appel Drive that will be developed. Their concerns focused on the usage of Oak Tree Crossing Drive – the entrance into the Timber Oaks subdivision – as one of three access points into the complex, its proximity to residences and the associated impact from lights and noise, the project cost, and a desire for more transparent communication with the College about its plans.
Complex on the Brenham Campus.
Timber Oaks Homeowners Association President Cathy Hamm expressed disappointment in the communication between Timber Oaks and the College, saying she believes the comment opportunities provided to this point have not been enough to allow for meaningful or balanced dialogue.
Former Blinn trustee and board chair Douglas Borchardt encouraged trustees to take more time before voting, saying there are two costs that the board needs to weigh when proceeding with this project: the fiscal side, and the risk of straining neighborhood relations.
O’Malley and Dr. Crowson agreed with the comments shared by the Timber Oaks residents who spoke, asking why Oak Tree Crossing Drive was still needed for access when the project design has been updated to now include an entrance from an extension of South Saeger Street. O’Malley believes the cost is too great to the College, and while he could get behind doing the project in pieces, all at once is too much.
Board Vice Chair Rev. Randy Wells spoke in favor of the project, saying what has been lost in the conversation is the College’s goal of supporting students and staff in the best way possible.
Currently, Blinn’s football team and cross country athletes practice on the field that formerly stood as Spencer Stadium on College Avenue, while football games are played at Cub Stadium. The softball team and soccer teams play at the fields at Hohlt Park.
Board Chair Allison Bentke said she was hesitant to cut off the access on Oak Tree Crossing Drive, arguing that having more access points is not a negative. She added that with TxDOT’s planned changes to the Highway 290 cloverleaf, Blinn has an opportunity to prominently display itself with this facility.
Trustee Diane Kettler said the student community aspect of the project is another point to consider, along with the physical and mental benefits it can provide. She said it can also act as a way to attract more students.
Construction is expected to begin in November. The project is anticipated to be completed in June 2028, with the complex open for occupancy by August 2028.