SA - Major Sports Complex May Be Planned for Former Abandoned Quarry

sirkingwilliam · #1 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 12:02 AM**

I do not have any links as I just saw the news reporting this but it looks like Gordan Hartman and Northeast ISD want to partner up for a sportscomplex at an abandonded northeast side quarry, the same one pitched to the Marlins in 2005. I don't remember the name.

Gordan Hartman wants to build a massive youth soccer complex and NEISD want to build a new football and baseball stadiums. Gordan Hartman himself could just build his complex and not even partner with NEISD except NEISD can only use the bond money they have on the actual stadiums and there is no money for land purchase so they have to build on land they already own which would be at Bulverde and Evans Road on the far north side next to the PGA Resort. Hartman wants to team up with the NEISD so that both parties build at the quarry. I'll post news links as they come online.

spursfan · #2 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 12:11 AM**

Is this the one close to Retama?

sirkingwilliam · #3 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 12:58 AM**

It is near the 410/35 interchange, it's also near Wurzbach Parkway,

METALMiKE · #4 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 2:18 AM**

Longhorn Quarry is the name.

sirkingwilliam · #5 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 2:52 AM**

Sports Stadium a 'Cost vs. Convenience' Decision for District

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story...2-8d1436a2c426

Last Update: Jul 9, 2007 4:19 PM

Posted By: Vickie Jean Summers

A new multi-million dollar football stadium is in the works for Northeast Independent School District. A well-known San Antonio developer is looking to sweeten the deal. But can the school district afford it?

It's evident that the district needs another stadium when you take a look at district's spacing of weekly high school football games over a 3-day period at the Blossom Athletic Center.

The district claims the Longhorn Quarry's easy access and central location makes it ideal for new stadium. Add in developer Gordon Hartman, who wants to combine it with his own proposed privately-owned sports complex, and it seems perfect.

But it's not that simple. The 2007 bond allocates more than $27 million for a new stadium, plus about $400,000 to design a new baseball field. However, it doesn't cover the cost to purchase or lease the land on which to build the new facilities.

However the first district-owned property proposed for the stadium, near Bulverde and US 281, wasn't well received because of traffic issues. The decision now facing the board is convenience or cost.

coddat · #6 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 3:38 AM**

I think this a much better idea than building a stadium outside of 1604 where it would be inconvenient, even a hardship to get to for those that go to Mac, Roosevelt and Lee. It's a much more central location and could be a great re-use land.

NBTX11 · #7 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 4:01 AM**

What happens when we finally lure a pro team to SA. Are they are using up all the good spots where a potential pro stadium could be. The Marlins supposedly like this area, probably due to convenience to I-35.

adtobias · #8 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 4:20 AM**

to bad...build it and they will come

sirkingwilliam · #9 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 7:58 AM**

NEISD eyes quarry site for stadium

Web Posted: 07/10/2007 12:24 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/met...m.3992283.html

Chuck McCollough
Express-News

A second football stadium for North East Independent School District could end up in the former Longhorn Quarry site instead of on Bulverde Road after district trustees gave the green light to pursue negotiations Monday night.

NEISD already owns 80 acres of land for a second stadium north of Loop 1604 on Bulverde near Evans Road, but many residents in that area have expressed concerns that the stadium would create traffic congestion, district officials said.

They like the 63-acre tract at the Longhorn Quarry site because it offers better accessibility via Interstate 35, Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Boulevard and is more centrally located within the district.

On May 12, district voters approved a bond issue that included funding to build a second stadium — with an estimated cost of $27.5 million — but no money for land because NEISD already owns the proposed site for a second stadium.

The trustees discussed the issue in executive session and then voted in open session to authorize Superintendent Richard Middleton to move forward with negotiations for the Longhorn Quarry location.

"The district would use the highest point on the (Longhorn Quarry) site so we can have better breezes for the stadium," he said. "We are looking forward to initiating this project because it will give us more playing fields for our children, it has greater access and will not contribute to further traffic congestion north of Loop 1604."

Board President Beth Plummer said NEISD bought the Bulverde property a few years ago, but already was looking for another site when the Longhorn Quarry property came to its attention.

Middleton said the Longhorn Quarry site is a better location for a stadium and that the district also would like to move its fleet of school buses there from two locations — one near Bitters and Broadway and the other at Blossom Athletic Center.

The superintendent said he believes the district can sell the Bulverde location for more than enough to pay for the Longhorn Quarry site, but that is just one option.

The new stadium also would be used for soccer and would have a running track. It's planned to open in the 2009-2010 school year, Middleton said.

District officials and many parents have said the growing district is overdue for a second football stadium and that another venue will be built eventually because Comalander Stadium, constructed in 1960, is handling six high schools. Also a seventh, Johnson High School, will be added in a few years.

A second stadium will help eliminate Thursday night and Saturday afternoon football games, NEISD officials said.

Northside Independent School District added a second football stadium in 2003. Farris Stadium is at Loop 1604 and Hausman Road.

If the new NEISD stadium were in the Longhorn Quarry site, it would be next to a planned private- and public-funded project featuring nearly 20 public soccer fields and a park for special-needs children and adults.

That project is being pushed by philanthropist Gordon Hartman, who said an NEISD football/soccer stadium nearby could help create more synergy and possible cost sharing and cost savings for the city of San Antonio and the school district. Hartman said a new football/soccer stadium in that location also would add to the inventory of sports facilities.

A Bexar County task force was slated today to get a preliminary look at 20-year needs-assessment study on amateur sports facilities that's being done by the San Antonio Sports Foundation.