Copperas Cove Hosts Open House on $28M Ogletree Gap Sports Complex

The Copperas Cove Parks & Recreation Department is inviting the community to stop by the Copperas Cove Civic Center on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for a Community Vision Open House, Lynette Sowell wrote in the Cove Leader-Press. The come-and-go event is the public-facing element of a feasibility and community-engagement phase for a proposed multi-field sports complex.

Organizers say the open house will be a chance for parks and rec coaches, families, and athletes to learn more about the proposal. "This is a come-and-go meeting for community members, including parks and rec coaches, families, and athletes to learn more about a proposed sports complex for the city," the Cove Leader-Press reported, adding that "attendees will be able to review preliminary concepts and information, as well as share input and ideas for what the community would like to see in a future sports complex."

The project is listed in the City's capital improvement plan as a roughly $28 million undertaking to be located at Ogletree Gap Park and to include playing fields and an indoor natatorium. The CIP's 2024 cost breakout assigns $2,000,000 for design and $26,000,000 for construction. "It’s not known what the estimated cost could be at current or future pricing compared to the 2024 estimates," the Cove Leader-Press note states, leaving the city’s next financial steps open to change.

Financing for the complex would require voter approval and be paid through the issuance of general obligation bonds, city materials indicate. The city council directed the administration to conduct a feasibility study in March 2024, and the municipality later posted a formal RFQ for consultants. The City of Copperas Cove listing shows Bid Number 2025-12-54, titled "RFQ- Sports Complex Feasibility Study," published 8/11/2025 with status "Open" and a closing date of "Open Until Contracted," and related documents labeled RFQ Feasibility Study 2025-12-54 (PDF) and Sports Complex Feasibility Study - Addendum 1.

Economic development strategy materials from the Copperas Cove EDC place the feasibility study within a broader plan to "develop competitive assets that can draw tourists to Copperas Cove," including improving parks, exploring recreational attractions for tourism, and improving accessibility for people with disabilities. The EDC also highlights opportunities in esports for the city's large military population and calls for marketing of the Narrows Business and Technology Park to attract target companies.

Separate EDC meeting records show a distinct, smaller feasibility action: "Secretary Fred Chavez made a motion to approve a feasibility and analysis study for particular property on Patriot Circle, not to exceed $5000. Treasurer David McPhail seconded the motion and with a unanimous vote, the motion carried," and the meeting was adjourned by Vice Chairman JC Stubbs at 1 p.m. That Patriot Circle item is recorded separately from the Ogletree Gap sports-complex plans.

City staff listed on the procurement page can be reached at City of Copperas Cove, 914 South Main Street, Copperas Cove, TX 76522, or by phone at 254-547-4221 for anyone seeking the RFQ documents, feasibility-study scope, or materials expected to be displayed at the Feb. 24 Civic Center open house.