City Council Approves Ben Garza Gymnasium Generator Project
Gymnasium Serves as Sports Facility and Emergency Refuge Center
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — At today’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting, the Council awarded a $205,000 construction contract to McDonald Municipal & Industrial, based in Houston, for the Ben Garza Gymnasium Generator Project. The project includes a 125-kilowatt natural gas generator, an automatic transfer switch, a concrete pad, and a secure seven-foot chain-link fence.
Located in Ben Garza Park, the gymnasium provides a venue for sports and fitness activities, including basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. It also serves as a critical emergency refuge center during severe weather, such as heat waves and freezing temperatures.
Robert Dodd, Director of Parks and Recreation, emphasized the gym's dual purpose, saying, “While the primary goal is to offer various sports and fitness programs, the gym also serves as a vital community resource during extreme weather by providing protection for those at risk.”
Jace Johnson, Emergency Management Coordinator, highlighted its importance, noting, “During the three freezing events totaling nine days in January 2026, the gym operated at full capacity, providing refuge for over 100 individuals at each event.”
The new generator will ensure uninterrupted operation during power outages, crucial for maintaining safety during future inclement weather.
Funding for the project is from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Construction is scheduled to begin in March with completion by June, weather permitting.
For more information, media representatives can contact Santos Villarreal, Senior Public Information Officer, at 361-826-3490 or santosv@corpuschristitx.gov.