Sherman Stadium Spat

Groups wanting to build a new high-school football stadium in the north Texas city of Sherman made presentations to school trustees last week that ranged from building a new facility to remodeling the current complex.

The Sherman Sports Complex Planning Committee wants the Sherman Independent School District to issue $30 million of general obligation bonds to build a new sports complex.

In contrast, a group called the Downtown Sherman Preservation and Revitalization wants the district to remodel the existing Bearcats Stadium in downtown Sherman.

John Arriazola, who represented the group seeking a new facility, has proposed a complex that would include a football field, baseball and softball fields, a tailgating area, a field house, and a two-story press box.

The new facility would be adjacent to a shopping mall, which Arriazola said would benefit from the area’s increased activity.

The new sports complex would be attractive to teams that are now reluctant to play at the district’s aging athletic facilities.

“We think it’s going to change the dynamics of Sherman,” Arriazola told trustees.

The presentation by Downtown Sherman Preservation and Revitalization group favored the option of preserving and expanding the current downtown ­stadium.

The group said the lack of parking in the area could be resolved by building a parking garage in cooperation with the city and county.

Sherman’s general obligation bond credit is rated A2 by Moody’s Investors Service and A-plus by Standard & Poor’s.

The debt is enhanced to triple-A with coverage from the state’s Permanent School Fund.

Voters approved $77 million of GO bonds for the district in 2005.

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