Marble Falls ISD softball park renovations near completion

CAPTION: The new fence surrounding Scearce Field will better protect the Lady Mustangs and their fans. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School softball program is getting closer to having Scearce Field ready for the 2026 season.

That’s the word from Marble Falls Independent School District Bond Director Mackie Price. He gave an update on facility improvements that are part of the 2018 and 2025 bonds during the Dec. 15 regular meeting of the district’s board of trustees.

“Jan. 9, the field will be ready for the Lady Mustangs’ spring season practice,” he said. “One of the first 2025 bond projects to reach completion delivered on time, on budget and built for championship performance. Hopefully with the quality you see, you see our hearts are set for our students to give them the best that we can give them to last a lifetime.”

Athletic director Keri Timmerman echoed those sentiments.

“It’s really exciting to see it all get going,” he said. “We should have a turf rolled here in the next two weeks out on the field and then we should be finalizing. So excited to see our kids and coaches get on that and utilize that. And that’ll be one of the first big bond projects completed, and then we’ll be working on (the Mustang Stadium) scoreboard in the spring and marquee and then the indoor facility and baseball field coming up. So just lots of fun stuff. It’s a great way to start it off with our softball program, really ramping up and building up, and having those (players) on that turf in the early part of February will be awesome.”

During the presentation, Price took the board through a timeline beginning with when members approved the upgrades, which was Oct. 20.

The next day crews began earthwork that was completed Oct. 31. Construction workers spent the next several weeks getting the field leveled and smoothed out for the synthetic turf.

So December was about checking off completed items that includes the turf installation, finishing the detention pond and perimeter fencing and testing all systems including lighting and the scoreboard.

“We’ve already done all that,” he said. “Everything is functioning and working properly over there.”

He noted the synthetic turf will arrive Dec. 20, a few days later than expected, which may have been the only delay.

“We were actually supposed to have the turf on the 15th or 16th, but the factory delayed on shipping it,” Price said. “From board approval to playable field in just over two months – this is one of the fast tracks of the bond projects.”

Final field grade verification was from Dec. 8-14.

“Crews completed final check of field elevations to make sure they got all the proper drainage that’s not puddling or holding water, stone placement to ensure perfection for the turf system,” the bond manager said. “Two professional turf installing crews (will be) there. They’ll mobilize with specialized equipment and materials ready to begin installation immediately upon delivery. They’re going to work seven days a week. The only days they’ll have off will be Christmas Day and the day after. Other than that, they will be there working seven days a week to be sure they make the time(line) that they gave us.”

The fence posts are galvanized steel tube and objects are being placed underground to keep grass from growing underneath and for workers to have something “they can nail that turf into.” A drainage system also is being installed to allow water to flow into a retention pond.

Guaranteed Maximum Price is $1.06 million, which means the facility has a fixed contract protecting taxpayers from cost overruns while ensuring quality construction standards. Fifty percent of the work is completed, which means physical progress aligns with financial projections and payment schedule.

“The first payment was applied for on Dec. 5,” Price said. “It was around $247,000.”

The second-to-last slide may explain the why better. Entitled “Why This Matters: Impact on our Student-Athletes,” the slide pointed out “the turf is a championship-quality playing surface that brings community pride and demonstrates the commitment to girls athletics while strengthening the softball program’s reputation district-wide, and the superior drainage and all-weather performance means the Lady Mustangs can practice and compete earlier in the spring season, gaining a competitive edge.”

City of Marble Falls officials will have final inspections and give final approvals and occupancy permits Jan. 15.