The McKinney Independent School District could join Allen as the next North Texas school district to construct a Texas-sized high school football stadium.
The district released artist renderings Tuesday of the proposed $50 million facility that would sit at the corner of McKinney Ranch Parkway and Hardin Boulevard. The facility would replace Ron Poe Stadium, where all three McKinney ISD high schools play their games.
"I hear more about the condition and size of (Ron Poe) stadium and the parking over there than I do on almost any other issue," said McKinney ISD School Board President Amy Dankle.
The new stadium would seat about 12,000 people and include up to 3,000 parking spaces. It would also house event space for the district to use and possibly rent out.
At $50 million the plan would take up nearly a quarter of the $220 million bond package. The bond package does not include the construction of any new schools, only major renovations to current facilities. Dankle said the district's demographics are such that new facilities are not currently needed.
"With renovations at McKinney North High School, we won't need to build another high school any time soon, but a new elementary school may be a few years down the road," Dankle said.
Opponents of the plan agree that the district is in need of a new stadium, but the location and the price tag make the stadium plan less than desirable.
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"I am fully on board with a stadium that the community can be proud of, with adequate parking, seating, restrooms and concessions. Ron Poe has an established heritage and history for the citizens of McKinney, and it is very close to the center of McKinney ISD jurisdiction. I personally believe that $20 million would be sufficient to renovate a stadium that would meet the needs of McKinney," said McKinney resident Curtis Rath.
Rath believes comparisons of McKinney's stadium plan with Eagle Stadium in Allen is no coincidence.
"My issue is that the McKinney ISD decided to build a stadium to compete with Allen Stadium," he said. "The location is less than a mile to Allen ISD territory."
Dankle defended the size of the plan, saying the district was wasting money by renting bleachers to expand seating and renting out other facilities to hold district events.
"When we have Allen come to play in McKinney we have to rent additional stands just for their fans and band. That's just throwing away money every year," she said. "This stadium has an events center in conjunction with it, and we think that will be a big plus – not only for McKinney ISD personnel to use, but the citizens to use for events."
The school board will finalize the bond package in a vote scheduled for March 17. The election is scheduled for early May.
Despite getting input from more than 100 residents Rath hopes the district will seek even more community input.
"This project impacts all citizens of McKinney, and we all deserve to have a voice in the process," he said.
