DeSoto Breaks Ground on $53 Million Aquatic and Recreation Center

The city of DeSoto broke ground on a new $53 million Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) on Monday,

The ceremony marks a significant milestone in the city’s booming economic development.

The 74,000-square-foot facility will serve as the central hub for Curtistene S. McCowan Park, providing a venue for fitness and multigenerational recreation.

The ARC is a key component of DeSoto’s Parks Master Plan and has been a topic of active community discussion for over a decade.

“Our new Aquatic & Recreation Center (ARC) is a transformational project that will enrich the lives of our residents while adding a vibrancy to our great city that will be noticed throughout the Metroplex,” said DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor.

“It will bring together all generations of our community into one thriving location and will show all who join us just how unique, unified, and dynamic our city is!”

The center will feature a full-scale indoor competition pool with observation decks on the second level, enabling competitive swimming events.

A 400-foot suspended fitness track will offer cardio workouts above the facility’s first level.

The ARC will also include a leisure pool, fully equipped gyms, strength training equipment, meeting rooms, and a social gathering space for group activities such as basketball, volleyball, and pickleball.

The surrounding grounds of McCowan Park will be transformed into a multi-sport layout, enhancing the athletic offerings of a region already known for its enthusiasm for sports.

“This project symbolizes more than just a new building; it represents our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all our constituents, and I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to each individual and stakeholder that has contributed to making this vision a reality,” said Interim City Manager Isom Cameron.

The park and the new facility are named after Curtistene S. McCowan, DeSoto’s 21st Mayor and the city’s first female mayor, who passed away in late 2020.

McCowan served as mayor from 2016 until her death and was a member of the DeSoto City Council from 2012 to 2016.

She also served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2014 to 2016.

In 1990, she became the first African American in DeSoto to be elected to public office as a member of the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees.

The project is slated for completion in February 2026, promising to be a landmark facility for the DeSoto community.

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