By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
RIO HONDO, TX—The local school district is currently making major improvements to three athletic playing surfaces and facilities, costing $6 million, paid for by local taxpayers.
Rio Hondo Independent School District (RHISD) Superintendent Raul Treviño said the Sports Complex Renovation Project was an idea he proposed to the school board that had been budgeted for the current fiscal year.
Both times the action item was discussed during either the regular February or the special March RHISD Board of Trustees meetings, elected officials unanimously approved spending the available funds.
“Our trustees voted to proceed with this great endeavor on behalf of our very deserving students,” said Treviño, acknowledging the efforts of the athletes who frequently earn team and/or individual awards.
Treviño said he believes providing facilities for Rio Hondo student-athletes to compete in was a worthwhile effort that taxpayers would support.
Rio Hondo ISD students consistently win district, area, regional, and state titles in all athletic sports and music programs.
RHISD reports that the ad valorem dollars allocated for the Sports Complex Renovation Project total exactly $6,061,375. Currently working alongside the RHISD administration are Hellas, based in Austin, and Musco Sports Lighting, based in Iowa.
According to RHISD, the 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 are being completed first, including upgrades to the lighting system.
After the Class of 2026’s graduation at Bobcat Stadium, the entire surface will be redone beginning May 30. The project will include a new track, Treviño said.
The baseball and softball seasons have not been affected at all for home games,” Treviño remarked. “As a matter of fact, we were able to install the LED lighting system for the softball field in time for this season, so it’s already in use,” he stipulated.
Furthermore, the baseball and softball teams began seeing improvements in their playing facilities when each received a new scoreboard three years ago.
So far, the Lady Bobcat Softball Team, coached by Ben Perez, is competing in District 32-3A, holding a 2-1 record and sitting in third place. They recently hosted the Roma Lady Gladiators in a non-district game but lost in a high-scoring match, 15-10.
The baseball team, under Head Coach Sergio Gonzalez, owns a similar District 32-3A record and is in third place.
The Bobcats have played about half a dozen home games, with the most recent a 12-3 win over the Progreso Red Ants.
“At the end of the day, it’s for our kids in our wonderful community. Having one of the best facilities in South Texas offers opportunities for our student-athletes to stay motivated, increase participation, and continue hosting events like our annual softball and baseball camp,” Coach Gonzalez said.
At the football stadium, Head Coach Rocky James has experienced ongoing success on the gridiron, and as RHISD Athletics Director, he can boast about the upgrades that often fill the stadium on game day.
According to RHISD officials, a new Hellas track is being installed around the football field, with a surfacing system at the oval/chutes, high jump area, and field event runways.
There will be a set of football goalposts with 30-foot uprights.
The stadium will feature a new digital scoreboard, measuring 39 feet wide and 19 feet high, along with a video scoreboard and sound system.
“As a united Bobcat staff and community, we feel blessed that God has given us the ability to come together to provide this new learning and performance experience for our students,” Treviño said.
Gonzalez expressed gratitude to the superintendent and the RHISD school board for approving turf fields.