First-of-its-Kind Sports Complex Breaks Ground in Del Rio

Years in the making, a multi-field sports complex broke ground on December 16. The complex will feature multiple soccer fields, a baseball and softball field, basketball courts, and will be located adjacent to Del Rio Middle School on Jap Lowe Drive.

Eddie Martinez 6 months ago 0

Years in the making, a multi-field sports complex broke ground at a dedication ceremony on December 16. The community space will be a first-of-its-kind asset for the underserved region of Del Rio, and garnered emotional sentiments from local leaders.

Adjacent to Del Rio Middle School on Jap Lowe Drive, the new athletic space will feature multiple soccer fields, a baseball and softball field, basketball courts, and a practice football field. The project has secured $4.1 million for construction, including $2 million of federal funds from the U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development.

The complex is set to be named after former mayor of Del Rio, Roberto “Bob” Chavira, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Chavira is known for guiding Del Rio through the devastation of the deadly flood of 1998, mentoring students as a school teacher and coach, and serving on San Felipe Del Rio CISD’s board of trustees at the end of his career in public service.

At the ceremony, District Superintendent Dr. Carlos Rios praised Chavira for his lifetime contributions, saying, “Mr. Chavira [..] you’re an incredible being and you have been forever, and I just love you for everything you’ve done.”

The complex’s planning has lasted nearly a decade, and faced setbacks from location confusion, to funding, to design redos. On the project’s current momentum, SFDRCISD Director of Athletics Frenchey McCrea Jr. says, “I’m elated. I can’t even describe it, it’s almost emotional. We worked so hard and after many years of talking about this and now we’re here actually having a groundbreaking. It’s just exciting.”

Val Verde County Commisioner Juan Carlos Vasquez, who played a key role in the project’s later planning, said in a ceremony speech, “Today is a day of hope, a day of promise. We are just beginning this journey, but I am confident that this sport complex will become a vital part of our community. A place where children can play, learn, and grow together.”

Vasquez tells DRN the complex is expected to be complete by 2028.