Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson and his Reverchon Park Sports and Entertainment LLC pursuit of investing ten million dollars to rebuild the city-owned field and facilities was approved in a re-evaluation vote by the Dallas City Council yesterday. This is outstanding news for the new Major League Rugby team that will be joining the league in 2021.
The Dallas Morning News indicated that the December 11, 2019 vote for approval was “defeated in a tied 7-7 vote. But council member David Blewett, who was a no vote the first time around, has asked for a revote. Blewett had specific concerns about the project around parking, revenue for the city, public access and other matters. With those concerns getting greater attention, he wants the council to get another chance at this deal.”
“The new ballfield constructed by Nelson’s group, meanwhile, will host affordable minor league baseball, be available for use by DISD and other leagues and be available for public use by reservation.”
The Ellen and Clayton Kershaw Foundation is also providing an all-abilities field in the Upper Meadow of Reverchon.
In another Dallas Morning News article on December 12, 2019, indicated that the “new ballpark designed by HKS Architects, the same firm responsible for the Texas Rangers’ new Globe Life Field and Jerry Jones’ AT&T Stadium. A turf field would have been planted, allowing for year-round play — something no other city park has. The North Dallas High School Bulldogs and other city leagues who have long called Reverchon home would have shared the field with a minor-league team called the Dallas Eagles. There would have been rugby, soccer, lacrosse — live music, too. And it would have cost taxpayers nothing.”
Previously, the Council approved the park revitalization by a vote of 13-2 before changing its mind on December 11th. The Dallas City Council re-vote on January 8, 2020, was passed with 11 of 15 members in favor. This allows for the building of a 3,500 seat multi-purpose stadium at the historic Reverchon Park according to American Rugby News.
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