The Midland Independent School District (ISD) recently issued a statement about their lack of interest in buying the Astound Broadband Stadium anytime soon, the Midland Reporter-Telegram reported.
“We are focused on ensuring all students graduate ready and prepared for college or career, and with so many existing needs related to MISD facilities, taking ownership of the stadium is not a priority,” the agency stated.
In response to the uncertainty, the agency has confirmed plans to continue renting the stadium from the city as it has done for more than 20 years.
The considerations come more than 20 years after Midland residents voted in favor of a dual-stadium facility in west Midland in 1999. The construction was paid for by an increase in the city sales tax, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. The Scharbauer Sports Complex now operates at a $2 million/year deficit.
In regard to the current determination about the Astound Broadband Stadium, the report goes on to consider whether the district may not have the required staff to operate the stadium.
“There is logic in that for both sides,” the Midland Reporter-Telegram report states. “The city, of course, wants someone else to carry some of the burden on operating the complex, and Midland ISD is the primary user of the football/soccer stadium. The negatives, however, outweigh the positives. Midland ISD doesn’t need to be in the stadium-operating business. The school district has enough older facilities to worry about.”