Berry Center • History

General Info

History

A Brief History
The idea for the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center (Berry Center) and a second athletic stadium was conceived by the community members who served on the 2001 Bond Steering Committee. Nine new schools, five support facilities (including the Berry Center), instructional technology, and numerous renovation projects were included in the 2001 Bond Referendum that was overwhelmingly approved by 84.8% of district voters in December 2001.

Ground Breaking Ceremony

For years the district rented facilities for graduation and other large district events such as convocations, choral performances and teacher training. For example in 2005, the graduation ceremonies were held at Reliant Stadium at a cost to the Cy-Fair community of more than $170,000 in facilities rental fees, parking fees, and fuel costs. With the ninth and tenth high schools opening in 2008, it would be impossible to play all the varsity football games at Pridgeon Stadium. For these reasons, the Bond Steering Committee recommended an educational support center and a second athletic stadium be included in the bond referendum. After voter approval of the referendum, the Board of Trustees decided to put the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center, the athletic stadium along with the food production distribution warehouse into one complex, resulting in a $4.2 million savings by combining parking.

A Partnership For Success

The complex was designed by PBK Architects, Inc. along with their design consultant, HOK Sport Venue Event. The facilities were built by SpawGlass Construction. The total construction cost for the five facilities (arena, stadium, theater, conference center, and food production center) located at the Berry Center was $84 million. The Berry Center opened in May 2006 with Beth Wade, CFE, as General Manager.