ALICE, Texas — Early voting begins on Monday for Proposition A in Alice Independent School District.
School officials said voters will have the chance to decide on a $38 million bond. The bond would go to building a new stadium and adding new lights to the baseball and softball facilities.
There are multiple changes that could come if the bond is approved by voters.
"The stadium was built 77 years ago, and so it is reaching its end of its life expectancy," Alice ISD Superintendent Dr. Anysia Trevino said.
Trevino said an international consulting engineering firm was hired by the district to evaluate Alice Memorial Stadium. She said a new stadium could have more seats and bathrooms, railings to make it ADA compliant, a new field and more.
She said people were invited to tour the stadium throughout the spring to make an informed decision when they vote.
"We know it's a significant decision, and we know it'll impact many lives," Trevino said. "Not just currently, but in the future."
Multiple signs are posted outside the stadium regarding the bond. One explains what is in the bond and another, paid for by a self-described concerned taxpayer, voices opposition to the bond.
Adults and kids toured Alice Memorial Stadium on Sunday to see its current condition. Alice resident Raul Ramirez said he has been to football games there since 1972 and said it is time for a new stadium that can benefit kids that play there.
"They need a home to play," Ramirez said. "Not just these children, but their children's children will be playing in this stadium if it lasts as long as this one did."
Cody Reeves, who also lives in Alice, said the current stadium has only five wheelchair slots. He said many people in Alice use wheelchairs or are disabled and changes are needed to better accommodate them.
"There's no handrails on the steps going up," Reeves said. "It's really, really hard for people to get out and come to the games and support their local Coyotes."
George Beltran, another Alice resident, said the engineers who evaluated Alice Memorial Stadium need to be trusted and hopes voters keep that in mind regarding the bond.
He also mentioned a viewpoint of those opposing a new stadium, which is that it has nothing to do with education. He disputed that, saying that those who coach sports teach kids to become team players, which they can one day bring to their careers.
"The most valuable thing that we need to assess is not the price that it's going to cost us to build it, but how valuable are these kids to us," Beltran said.
Early voting runs from April 22-30 and election day is on May 4. Trevino said she encourages everyone to vote and if they have any questions to come see the stadium themselves.