UPDATE 09/12/13 @ 6:39 p.m.: This article has been updated to reflect the approval of this recommendation during the meeting held on Sept. 12.
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The HISD Board of Education approved a recommendation at its regular monthly meeting to fast-track the construction of a new Delmar-Tusa Fieldhouse by demolishing the existing facility while design for the new facility is underway. The goal is to have the site ready for construction as soon as possible.
The Delmar-Tusa Fieldhouse, located at the athletic complex at 2020 Mangum Road, adjacent to the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, was built in 1958 and is currently in poor condition with major roof leaks, flooding problems in the locker rooms and a sports medicine area that falls short of athletic league standards.
Voters in November 2012 authorized the Board of Education to spend $44.7 million to improve district athletic facilities.
On May 9, HISD trustees voted to authorize the district to negotiate a contract with PBK Sports to design a new fieldhouse at the athletic complex. Meetings have been underway with the architects, administrators and athletic personnel to develop a design for a facility that will serve the district’s needs.
With the Board of Education’s approval of the demolition of the existing fieldhouse, the district will move many, if not all, scheduled events to the Mark Anthony Wilkins Pavillion located on the Forest Brook Middle School Campus at 7525 Tidwell Road. The final sporting events at Delmar-Tusa Fieldhouse will be played on Sept. 24. Football games will not be affected.
The replacement facility is expected to open in late 2016.
“HISD desperately needs a new fieldhouse so that our students can compete with teams from across the Houston area in a setting that is safe and up to standard,” said Marmion Dambrino, HISD’s athletics director. “By moving forward with the demolition now, we’ll be ensuring that we move as quickly as possible to build this new facility once the design is completed.”