Fairview ISD’s multipurpose activity center

Richardson ISD will delay construction of the Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) at Lake Highlands High School until 2019 to coincide with its major classroom expansion project on the LHHS campus. Both projects were approved by voters in the 2016 bond.

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

Voters endorsed MACs at all four RISD high schools, and construction at RHS, Berkner and Pearce will begin in 2018 for completion for the 2019-20 school year as planned. The LHHS MAC is expected to open in 2020.

In addition, RISD has opted to increase the size and cost of the facilities.

The MACs as originally proposed had a price tag of $20 million each, which drew criticism from some parents who demanded that the district get “back to the basics of education” but the support of parents of the many students who would use the facility, including band, drill team, Wranglers and the 16 Wildcat sports teams unable to train in excessive heat, cold and rain. The plans – and the cost – were trimmed when bond funds were reallocated to handle growth at the elementary level, and $15 million each was budgeted. Since then, architects and athletics personnel have worked together to recommend adding back 8,000 square feet of girls’ and boys’ locker rooms and space to accommodate offices and team meetings. The $2 million per campus cost – $1.5 million for construction and $500,000 for fixtures – will be paid from RISD operating funds.

The MAC will be built on the green space where the football team currently practices, north of LHHS (now called the L building) and east of LHFC (now called the H building).