27 Aug 2005
Ceremony Officially Opens $38.7 Million Sports Complex
DALLAS–Dallas Independent School District officials dedicated the Jesse Owens Memorial Complex at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, August 27, at 9191 South Polk Street.
The family of legendary Olympic medalist Jesse Owens joined Superintendent Michael Hinojosa in dedicating the complex. Various areas in the complex are named in honor of Owens, former DISD athletic director John Kincaide, former DISD coaches Freddie James and Raymond Hollie Sr. and trustee Hollis Brashear.
"Each of these honorees inspires us to push for excellence," said Hinojosa. "They have shown us how to be successful both on and off the field. Their commitment and dedication will always echo throughout this complex to the student-athletes who play here."
Two football games followed the dedication ceremony; Justin F. Kimball High School played Houston's Sterling High School at 4 p.m., and David W. Carter High School played Arlington's Sam Houston High School at 7:30 p.m.
The $38.7 million sports complex for middle and high school athletic events is the first varsity complex to be built for the DISD in more than 35 years. The facility boasts a fieldhouse and stadium with artificial turf and track surfaces, and is designed to accommodate 12,000 spectators for football, soccer and track events. The fieldhouse, projected for completion this fall, will accommodate 7,500 spectators for volleyball, basketball and wrestling events.
With the opening of the new complex, DISD athletic director Troy Mathieu said the district's student-athletes will now compete in one of the best high school facilities in the United States, and he expects the complex will immediately become a magnet for major sports activities in the southern sector of Dallas.
"The Jesse Owens Memorial Complex will have a tremendous impact on the future of our athletic program," said Mathieu. "It will serve as a new source of community pride, and with its strategic location near I-20 and I-35 it should be in big demand as a venue for various University Interscholastic League playoff contests."
HKS, Inc., Austin Commercial and Turner Construction are the design and construction team for the complex, funded through DISD's 2002 Bond Program.
In January 2002, DISD passed the largest education bond program in the history of Texas. The $1.37 billion program is funding 21 new schools, almost 60 additions that include early childhood additions to present schools, and renovations to nearly every campus in the district. Contractors are working on more than 140 school facilities, including new schools, additions and renovations to schools. For more information on the bond program, go to www.dallasisd.org/bond.