Fields of Dreams
/The Swanger Baseball and Grady T. Wallace Soccer Complexes Undergo Revitalization
By Brooke Stone
Left to right: David Orr (City of Texarkana, Texas, City Manager), Dusty Henslee (City of Texarkana, Texas, Public Works Director), Kayla Wood (Design Engineer, MTG Engineers), Ross Cowling (City of Texarkana, Texas, Parks and Recreation Sports & League Manager), Robby Robertson (City of Texarkana, Texas, Director of Parks and Recreation), Blair Pifer (Design Build Coordinator, Symmetry Sports Construction), Nathan Rowland (Project Manager, Symmetry Sports Construction) photo by shane darby.
For decades, the sports complexes of Texarkana, Texas, have been more than just ball fields—they’ve been beloved spaces where friendships are forged, rivalries take shape, and generations of athletes create lifelong memories. From the excitement of youth league games to the roar of regional tournaments, these facilities have shaped generations of athletes and fans alike. Now, after years of dreaming, planning, and securing the necessary funding, the City of Texarkana, Texas, is in the final stages of a long-anticipated transformation of two of its well-loved sports facilities: the Swanger Baseball and Grady T. Wallace Soccer Complexes.
Each of these venues carries a rich legacy. Within Spring Lake Park, the Swanger Complex stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to youth athletics. Named after Mayor Durwood Swanger, the complex was originally built in the 1980s as a modern facility for baseball and softball, hosting countless games and tournaments over the years for the Texarkana, TX Dixie Youth Baseball league and regional visitors. Similarly, the Grady T. Wallace Soccer Complex, named in honor of a dedicated civic leader and advocate for youth sports, became a cornerstone of the Texarkana Soccer Association. Built in the same era, it helped establish the city as a regional hub for competitive soccer.
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Director of Parks and Recreation Robby Robertson has looked forward to these renovations for over 20 years. “We are thrilled to see the hard work of so many pay off and see these upgrades come to completion,” he said. “It has been many years in the making, and we look forward to having these complexes carry on memories for generations to come.”
Throughout the years, these complexes have hosted countless soccer matches, Little League games, high school showdowns, and competitive tournaments. But, with such heavy use, even the best-maintained facilities inevitably show signs of wear. Despite the dedication of municipal maintenance crews, time and constant play took their toll, leaving fields, structures, and amenities in need of a major refresh.
For over a decade, there has been a vision of transforming these complexes into premier destinations for sports tournaments across the region. That vision began taking shape in the summer of 2023 when the City partnered with design engineer Kayla Wood of MTG Engineering, a respected local firm. Through strategic meetings and collaborations, the team brought in project manager Nathan Rowland, design build director Nick Robertson, and design build coordinator Blair Pifer, all with Symmetry Sports Construction, a renowned statewide sports construction company that has built top-tier athletic facilities, from high school stadiums to university complexes at Texas Tech and Texas A&M University.
The Symmetry Sports Construction team is known for designing and building high-quality athletic fields, but their Texarkana projects go beyond their usual scope by incorporating concession stands and restroom facilities.
“We were grateful for the opportunity to design and construct the building structures in addition to the sports fields,” Nathan said. “It was a challenge we were more than willing to accept, and the collaboration with everyone involved has been truly incredible.”
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This longstanding vision for improved sports facilities took copious dedication to ensure that the dream of revitalization didn’t fall by the wayside. Long before the first shovel hit the ground, municipal leaders and staff put in countless hours assessing needs and bringing together the right partners to make this dream a reality.
For City Manager David Orr, having watched his own children compete on these very fields, the project is more than just a city initiative—it is an investment in the future of Texarkana’s sports community.
“These fields have meant so much to my family, and I’ve seen how important they are for so many others,” he said. “Now, with these improvements, we look forward to watching more kids develop their skills and create memories playing the game they love—whether they’re local youth athletes or visiting for a tournament.”
Like any major revitalization project, the first step was securing the necessary funding. For a project of this scale, the city turned to its CFO, Kristin Peeples, who began the bond process April 2023 as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget planning.
To determine how much funding was available, the team relied on estimated property values to calculate anticipated property tax revenue and assess whether there was enough to support new debt. From there, the Budget Advisory Committee, a citizen-led group, worked alongside the city council in May and June 2023 to identify and prioritize key capital projects.
In July 2023, the City moved forward with the formal issuance of Certificates of Obligation (COs)—a type of municipal bond used to fund public projects. In September 2023, the city council approved the issuance of the COs, securing $14.7 million in funding, which was received in October 2023.
The total cost for the Grady T. Wallace Park project is $3,322,174.09, with $2 million funded through bond proceeds and the remaining amount from other sources. The Spring Lake Park project, which includes Swanger Complex, totals $9,420,829.70, with $8.1 million coming from bond funds and the rest from additional funding sources.
Once funding was secured, the City, MTG Engineers & Surveyors, and Symmetry began planning, with the first soil samples taken in December 2023. While awaiting the results, MTG conducted land surveys, and construction plans were finalized and approved. In July 2024, dirt work commenced at both complexes, officially marking the start of construction.
“These updated facilities are going to be a game changer for our youth and visitors, and we are excited to provide such remarkable upgrades for our players and their families.”
Grady T. Wallace Soccer Complex now boasts a fully turfed field, marked to accommodate games for teams of all sizes, from youth to adult matches. Additionally, new grass has been installed on other soccer fields, along with newly paved sidewalks, an upgraded entrance, and renovated restrooms and concession stands.
Swanger Ballpark has received significant upgrades across all five fields, including new turf, state-of-the-art concession stands, modernized restrooms, and a covered, turfed common area designed for families and visitors. Each field now features covered seating for spectators and sheltered bullpens for players, enhancing both comfort and functionality.
The decision to turf the fields was driven by the experience of Public Works Director Dusty Henslee and the Parks and Recreation’s Sports and League Manager Ross Cowling, the latter of whom has spent years managing the fields. Frequent heavy rains often led to game delays or outright cancellations, and Ross and his team often resorted to raking off excess water manually to preserve playability without damaging the grass.
“It was certainly a challenge to maintain the fields during the rainy season,” he said. “These updated facilities are going to be a game changer for our youth and visitors, and we are excited to provide such remarkable upgrades for our players and their families.”
As a final cherry on top, the City is partnering with the Texas Runs on Water Foundation and the Texas Lyceum to bring in acclaimed artist and Texarkana native Will Bryant to leave his creative mark on the project. Will, a talented artist and designer based in Austin, Texas, has worked on successful campaigns for organizations such as Nike and Mississippi State, blending bold colors and playful energy into his designs. His work will add a vibrant, unique touch to the complex and create an inviting and dynamic atmosphere that enhances the experience for players and spectators alike.
As both complexes near completion, the future of youth sports in Texarkana has never looked brighter. These newly revitalized complexes will not only provide local athletes with top-tier facilities to hone their skills but will also position Texarkana as a premier destination for tournaments and sporting events, bringing new visitors and economic opportunities to the community.
Seeing this transformation come to life has been a rewarding journey for everyone involved. As young athletes take the field and families fill the stands, there’s a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that this project will serve as a foundation for growth, competition, and community connection for years to come. Texarkana’s investment in youth sports is more than just an upgrade—it’s a game changer for the entire region.