News Reader

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 serv

Agenda available at: Desotoisd.org/board_of_trustees

74,000 Square Foot “ARC” In DeSoto’s McCowan Park Will Create A Vibrant Sports Center & Multi-Generational Destination

The City of DeSoto broke ground Monday morning for a 74,000 square foot Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) which will become the central hub for DeSoto’s Curtistene S. McCowan Park and a citywide venue for fitness and multigenerational recreation. This $53 million project represents a major milestone in the life of DeSoto and is welcome addition that has been the subject of active community engagement and discussion for more than a decade.

DeSoto’s new “ARC” is one of the key components for the City of DeSoto’s Parks Master Plan and will anchor the broader park complex. It will include a full-scale indoor competition pool and observation decks on the second level to allow for competitive swimming events.

A 400-foot fitness track for cardio workouts will be suspended above the facility’s first level. A fully equipped fitness area will include a leisure pool, gyms, strength training equipment, meeting rooms, and a social gathering space for group activities such as basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. With the grounds of McCowan Park surrounding it, the entire area will be transformed into a multi-sport layout experience that will stand out in a region already known for athleticism.

The new facility is designed to offer health and fitness support to young families and provide a physical and social venue for active seniors through year-round senior activities.
Located in Curtistene S. McCowan Park, the facility is being realized as part of a larger master plan, which includes other public and sports-related amenities, including additional sports fields, an amphitheater, a sculpture garden, water features, and surrounding trails.

The post DeSoto’s $53 Million Aquatic & Recreation Center Has Begun Construction appeared first on Focus Daily News.

The City of DeSoto is providing clearer guidelines for residents for trash pick-up from Republic Services.

Residents may put out either one large bulky item weekly or up to three cubic yards of small bulk items and bundled brush.

These items should be placed next to the trash cart on Thursday or Friday’s second service day of each week.

Smaller bulk items or extra bags should be placed directly next to the trash cart.

Three cubic yards are described as a pile that is three feet deep, three feet tall, and nine feet wide.

Acceptable items include:

• Bundled bags of leaves and small twigs
• Extra bags of household trash (up to five per collection date)
• Small piles of limbs that are cut, tied, and bundled

Brush and Large Bulk Trash Guidelines:

For brush and large bulk trash, residents will need to call the Action Center at (972) 230-9600 to schedule a pick-up.

Those items must be placed at the front of the property.

The brush service is transitioning to a once-per-month, on-call service with a limit of ten cubic yards per month.

Examples of acceptable large bulk items include:

• Up to 15 heavy-duty bags of leaves per collection date
• Small bushes, tree branches, and other bundled foliage
• A/C window units, refrigerators, and freezers (with freon removed and tagged)
• Small furniture items such as end tables, coffee tables, bookcases, and window blinds
• Large items like mattresses, sofas, dining room tables, washers, and recliners
• Small DIY construction projects such as toilets, sinks, wall panels, and interior doors, cut into four-foot lengths with nails removed or hammered down

For more information or to schedule a pickup, residents can contact the DeSoto Action Center.

The post Brush and Bulk Trash Pickup Guidelines Updates appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Amateurs are invited to attend the annual emergency preparedness exercise (Field Day) of the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) this weekend. The Southwest Dallas County Amateur Radio Club (SWDCARC) will be participating in the annual ARRL Field Day. This event is held in many different venues nationwide, and is intended to exercise the many different types of amateur radio equipment. Those participating attempt to contact as many different locations worldwide as possible.

The SWDCARC will hold their Field Day on June 22 and 23 at the DeSoto Fire Training Center at 501 East Pleasant Run Road. Parking is available behind the Training Center in Grimes Park. This is an overnight event, and visitors are welcome.

Field Day for Amateur Radio Operators

Even those who do not have an Amateur Radio license will be allowed to operate at the G.O.T.A. (get-on-the-air) station with a licensed coach. Several stations will be set up and available especially for guests.

Participants in the field exercise will begin operating on Saturday, June 22 at 1 p.m., and will take down the equipment before noon on Sunday, when everyone starts to get tired and hot.

SWDCARC Monthly Meetings

The SWDCARC meets the third Tuesday of each month in the music room at First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Duncanville. The Board of Directors meet at 6 p.m., and the General Membership meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Please check out the web site at SWDCARC.ORG for additional information, or contact Pat Roberson, the secretary for the Southwest Dallas County Amateur Radio Club (SWDCARC), at pvroberson@sbcglobal.net

The post Amateurs Invited to Field Day for Amateur Radio Relay League appeared first on Focus Daily News.