New MFHS baseball field benched for now; other bond projects face delays
The Marble Falls Independent School District paused a new Marble Falls High School baseball facility due to an inaccurate cost estimate that would have put the project 50 percent over budget. MFISD image
An inaccurate cost estimate for a new Marble Falls High School baseball facility has delayed its construction and potentially paused other bond projects for the school district. However, replacement of the turf on the softball field is moving forward as planned.
Originally, the Marble Falls Independent School District received an estimate of $6.5 million for the baseball field from Pfluger Architects. When the buildout bidding phase arrived, estimates came in at around $10 million.
“The (MFISD) Board of Trustees chose to table this item because the Board could not in good faith take action on this item as presented,” said board President Alex Payson in an Oct. 21 media release following the board’s Oct. 20 decision to hold off on construction of a new baseball facility.
With the delay, the Mustangs baseball team will play on its current field for the 2026 season.
The new baseball facility and several other planned projects are part of MFISD’s $172.2 million bond package approved by district voters in May.
MFISD Superintendent Jeff Gasaway told DailyTrib.com the district would take the next several weeks to review the baseball project’s budget.
“Our school board and the district administration is committed to delivering the (bond) projects as they were presented and ensuring they come in at or under the budget that was presented,” he said. “All options are on the table in an effort to deliver what we shared with the community.”
The baseball field is a critical bond project, as it must be completed before construction can begin on a $26.05-million multipurpose indoor sports facility at the high school, which would be on the site of the current baseball field. Work on the multipurpose facility was slated to start by February, and Gasaway hopes a solution can be found before then.
“We’ve got time to collect our thoughts and make a decision to move forward,” he said.
Pfluger Architects’ inaccurate cost estimate for the baseball facility also called into question other projects the firm worked on during pre-bond planning. MFISD has put a pause on Pfluger’s work and is diving into the numbers before moving forward on the multipurpose facility, career technology education building, and improvements to Max Copeland Gym.
Turf replacement at the softball field, which is not being held up, should be done by Jan. 30 in time for the Lady Mustangs’ 2026 season.
“We are excited for our softball program to have this turf upgrade,” said Athletic Director Keri Timmerman in the Oct. 21 media release. “This provides an exceptional field surface, which will allow our players a competitive advantage to practice and play despite weather that has affected those opportunities in the past. We are so thankful for our community’s support through the bond for our programs. I know the Lady Mustangs will be excited to take the field for the 2026 season.”