The City of Laredo signed a memorandum of understanding this week with Laredo College for public use of the campus’ sports complexes.
A signing of the agreement took place at the Fort McIntosh campus this week as Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and Laredo College President Dr. Minita Ramirez signed on the dotted line.
“It’s a great event for us,” LC District Board of Trustees President Lupita Zepeda said. “It’s great to have these facilities for our community.”
Zepeda said District VIII Councilmember Alyssa Cigarroa was instrumental in the process. She feels the city’s west side will be able to take advantage of the facilities.
Both the Fort McIntosh main campus and Laredo College South Campus will open their gates. Among the facilities that will be able to be used are the main campus’ softball field and swimming pool, the South campus’ baseball field, and both campuses’ tennis courts complex.
“I extend my gratitude to my colleagues for supporting my proposal back in June 2021, initiating discussions with Laredo College to open up public access to their (recreational facilities),” Cigarroa said.
The councilmember said she is thrilled for residents to have access to the state-of-the-art facilities at both campuses, and the collaboration with the college and city reflects the Council’s commitment to enhancing community amenities and fostering shared prosperity.
“This marks a significant stride toward a more connected and vibrant community,” Cigarroa said.
City of Laredo Parks & Recreation Director J.J. Gomez said he looks forward to residents taking advantage of the pool nearby when the season warms up again.
“This makes sense,” Gomez said. “For example, the pool on this side of town. We were actually thinking of building a pool over here by La Ladrillera (Recreation Center) — a couple of blocks down.”
Gomez said the cost of that alone would likely be $2 million, but he asked the nearby college if they could use theirs instead.
“That’s kind of what got the ball rolling,” Gomez said.
Additionally, Gomez said he hopes to take full advantage of the fields for the baseball leagues. He said that is one of the bigger challenges — looking for space to accommodate those leagues.
“Again, it just made sense. It just made sense,” Gomez said.
There is no opening date for public usage yet, but the Parks & Recreation Department is to start using the facilities as soon as Nov. 27 for maintenance and then will continue to get the ball rolling.
