(San Benito News/Ray Quiroga)
By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com
RIO HONDO, TX—Local officials and students recently took part in a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of a $6.2M refurbishment of Bobcat Stadium.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Monday morning, June 1, at Bobcat Stadium.
In April, as reported here, Rio Hondo Independent School District (RHISD) officials announced major improvements to three athletic fields and facilities, with a portion of the cost offset by the sale of district property.
The bulk of the cost is being funded through, what administrators described as low interest to be paid throughout the duration of 15 years.
RHISD Superintendent of Schools Raul Treviño said the sports complex renovation project was an idea he proposed to the school board and had been budgeted for the current fiscal year.
Elected officials unanimously approved the expenditure of available funds on both occasions when the action item was discussed at the regular February RHISD Board of Trustees meeting and at the special March RHISD Board of Trustees meeting.
“Our trustees voted to proceed with this great endeavor on behalf of our very deserving students,” said Treviño, acknowledging the athletes’ frequent earning of team and/or individual awards.
Treviño said he believes that providing facilities for Rio Hondo student-athletes to compete in was a worthwhile effort that taxpayers would support.
RHISD reports that the ad valorem dollars allocated to the Sports Complex Renovation Project total exactly $6,061,375.
RHISD administration is working alongside Hellas, based in Austin, and Musco Sports Lighting, based in Iowa.
According to RHISD, project funds are allocated as follows: Hellas Turf Football field/Track: $2,514,995; Hellas Turf Baseball Field/fencing: $1,776,280; Hellas Turf Softball Field/fencing $961,450; Musco Football Field LED Entertainment Lighting System: $399,900; Musco Baseball Field LED Entertainment Lighting System: $263,750; Musco Softball Field LED Entertainment Lighting System: $145,000.
The playing surfaces of the softball and baseball fields were completed first, including upgrades to the lighting system.
The stadium project includes a new track, and is set for completion by the first home game of the 2026-27 varsity football season, Treviño said.
As reported in April, the new track is being installed around the football field, with a surfacing system at the oval/chutes, high jump area, and field event runways.
The stadium will also feature a new digital scoreboard, measuring 39 feet wide and 19 feet high, along with a video scoreboard and sound system.