As part of The Examiner’s commitment to in-depth examination of the city of Beaumont’s $264 million bond request to voters, this week we will look further at two of the many elements propping up Proposition B, which represents $147 million of the bond’s total.
Proposition B, touted as a series of facility and public safety improvements, includes $60 million for a new police headquarters, $6.6 million for a rebuilt and relocated Fire Station No. 4 (currently situated on the corner of Lucas and Gladys Avenue), a modernized but not larger capacity Animal Care and Adoption Center for $7.9 million, $1 million for downtown security cameras and citywide facility improvements, and more than $60 million in funds is set aside for new multi-purpose facilities — a large downtown Sports and Community Center, and a new multi-purpose center at Alice Keith Park.
The second-largest ticketed item within Proposition B, arguably not related in any form or fashion to public safety, is the Multipurpose Sports and Community Facility coming in just under $50 million.
Described as a state-of-the-art sports facility and community multipurpose center designed to host a variety of sporting events, tournaments, community classes and training, this monstrosity of recreation was presented on a map situated with the long side on Crockett and each end at South M. L. King Jr. Parkway and Jefferson Street with a housing development along the other long side opposite of Crockett St.
Floor Plan Concept A, as presented in Beaumont bond advisory committee meeting No. 5 held June 25, features a 96,800 total square foot facility with 83,500 earmarked for recreation and 13,300 for programs featuring six full-size basketball courts, a rock-climbing zone, a commissary, five large classrooms, an Esports section, concessions stand, and multiple flex spaces. The eight-court option features 116,000 total square feet and outlines 57.4% of the space to be used by eight 84x50 foot basketball courts that would double as 24 pickleball courts and/or 16 volleyball courts, a 10,000 square-foot family entertainment center, and flex space to include the lobby, control room, ticket office, manager’s offices, office area, a service kitchen, a 2,500-square-foot café seating area, flex/team rooms, referee rooms, a training room, restrooms and leased medical space.
The opinion of costs presented with the six-court version was presented as estimated between $26,168,023 and $31,983,139 before land, soft costs operations and working capital reserve is figured in. According to the city’s presentation, the goal is to develop Beaumont as a sports tourist destination: “Downtown must be a destination, not a detour. To maximize return, we must maximize experience,” reads slide 43.
Introduced were J.D. Wood, regional vice president of Strategic Development of Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) and Dan Morton, the SFC market research and strategic advisor with the company. SFC provided opinions of cost, as well as the performance range, which indicated the sports complex’s revenues and expenses, determining at that, low performance, the facility has a potential to lose $375,853 annually; produce a loss of $21,713 with mid-level revenue; and best-case scenario on the high end, the $50 million sports complex would produce a $516,452 annual profit.
Proposition B also includes the multipurpose center at Alice Keith Park, 4050 Reed St., located just three blocks from Beaumont ISD’s Pietzsch MacArthur Pre-K – 8th grade center. Alice Keith Park currently features a community center, picnic area, modest playground, pool area and restroom facilities. The park also has two lighted basketball courts.
According to the information provided by Gap Strategies, the proposed center aims to combine recreation facilities with classrooms and activity spaces to house educational programs, workforce training, and community events. According to city of Beaumont Director of Communications Tracy Kennick, within the city’s Community Investment Plan, the project listed as “Recreation Center” includes an indoor basketball court, indoor racquetball court, weight room, activity room, restroom and locker rooms, administration area, and site parking.
“The facility will be focused on physical activities, summer programs, fitness programs, and interactive learning activities,” reads city documents Kennick provided. The budget for the project within the CIP is listed as $10,028,440 before furnishings, equipment and staffing. The projected finance plan estimates that, should the proposition pass, the Alice Keith Recreation Center would be funded in 2028-2029. Within Proposition B details distributed by the municipality, $11,247,864 is asked to be paid by voters for the project, should the proposition pass.
A complete breakdown of Beaumont bond propositions is available online at www.theexaminer.com/news/breakdown-beaumont-bond-propositions. Should all propositions pass, taxpayers will pay an additional $171 annually per $150,000 taxable property valuation for an undetermined number of years.
Early voting is slated for Oct. 20-31; early voting locations and times can be found beginning on page A 13, along with the entire sample ballot. Election Day is Nov. 4.