New lighting, irrigation system to allow more groups to play on fields

WHO:            McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos & McAllen City Commission and City of McAllen Parks & Recreation

WHAT:          Uvalde Soccer Field Ribbon Cutting

WHEN:         Wednesday, February 21, 2024    9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:      Uvalde Soccer Field, 2801 Uvalde Ave.

WHY:            Uvalde Park has been improved with federal funding since 2011. Originally a brush landfill in the late 60s and early 70’s, the property has since been converted to parkland.

Over the years, thanks to CDBG funds, Uvalde Park received the following improvements:

• 2011: $49,775 for the playscape and to initiate the parking lot
• 2012: $127,633 for the completion of the parking lot
• 2013: $96,000 for the addition of the bathroom and walking trail

The project being unveiled today:

• 2019: $280,391 for the addition of Musco Field Lighting to convert the green space to soccer fields.

AEP and the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department worked together to supply the first-ever LED lighting for the fields. Installation of the Musco Lighting was completed in February of 2021 by Zitro Electric. McAllen Parks and Recreation’s Building maintenance electricians completed all of the conduit work and lighting connections. MUSCO lighting is designed specifically for playing fields to concentrate light on the field and avoid overspray to surrounding neighborhoods. Once the lights installation was complete, the Parks & Recreation Department began the process of resetting irrigation, leveling the soil, and reseeding to create the three soccer fields.

The finished product is three 11 v 11 soccer fields for use by the community and associations with options to split the larger fields for youth play.

“We look forward to officially turning on lights this evening for all to enjoy the park, trail, and newly established soccer fields,” said Denny Meline, director, McAllen Parks & Recreation.

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