Laredo Parks and Rec. official responds to sports complex concerns

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) – A 45 million dollar city project that broke ground two years ago remains under construction despite having a completion date of this month.

The future Buena Vista Sports Complex is expected to be the venue for next year’s Pony League World Series as well as other sporting events, but for now the project remains in development.

“Hopefully this time next year, we’ll have the complex ready to go and we’ll be able to host this tournament and many more tournaments to come, with the beautiful facility that’s coming,” said City of Laredo Parks Director JJ Gomez.

The City of Laredo initially broke ground on the Buena Vista Sports Complex back in August of 2022 and was slated to be open by July 2024.

Many have been vocal about the project including sports enthusiast Luis Adrian Estrada.

“Having something here especially in the south where the community is strong, I think it will definitely be fun,” said Estrada.

While some are looking forward to what the future sports complex may bring, not everyone shares the same opinion.

Many spoke out on the KGNS+ Facebook page saying that the money could be used on an aquarium or other forms of entertainment; meanwhile, others say, the funds could be used for city necessities.

Some Facebook users expressed concern pertaining to the watering and maintenance of the future fields.

According to City of Laredo Parks Director JJ Gomez, the city had planned an alternative route that would be beneficial to the city and the athletes.

“Back when we presented to council, the options were either natural grass or synthetic turf,” said Gomez. “After looking at the numbers, it was a no brainer to go with synthetic turf, so all fields are going to be synthetic turf. Our maintenance and operation will be minimal so that’s going to be a big plus because we’ll have no rain outs.”

Other Laredo sports fans like Alec Alvarez remain optimistic about the project.

“I think it’s great kids should be able to play their sports and practice every day instead of doing things they are not supposed to,” said Alvarez.

As for Estrada, he believes a water park would provide another form of physical exercise without having to travel far.

“Right now, I think the south needs a lot more love, and especially with the sports complex and the water park, I think it will be fun around here as well,” said Estrada.

As far as the concerns pertaining to the setbacks, Gomez said much of the delays were due to clearing out the land.

“So, one of the challenges they did was they had to clear the area, there was no utilities, so they had to bring utilities, bring in the water, bring in the sewer, all that that was a little bit challenging from what I understand from the construction company.”

The facility will feature ten baseball and softball fields, two multi-purpose fields for soccer and football as well as picnic areas, playgrounds and even a potential aquatic center which is said to be the second phase of the project.

The field is expected to be up and running by April of 2025.

The project was funded by the city sports venue tax.

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