The Berry Center
The Richard E. Berry Education Support Center is a new state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility that sits on 65 acres owned by Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District in the Houston suburb of Cypress in Harris County, Texas.
The facility features an 11,000-seat outdoor stadium, an 8,328-seat arena, a 16,100-square-foot conference center, a 456-seat theatre and all the amenities to make it a point of pride for everyone in Cy-Fair ISD. In addition to serving as the home football field for eight high schools in the district, the facility also hosts district University Interscholastic League contests and community competitions, exhibition, concerts, meetings, banquets and a number of other quality attractions.
Where It All Began
The idea for an educational support center and a second athletic stadium was conceived by community members who served on the 2001 Cy-Fair ISD Bond Steering Committee. This project was one of the nine new schools and five support facilities, along with instructional technology and numerous renovations, included in the 2001 Bond Referendum that was overwhelmingly approved by 84.8 percent of district voters in December 2001.
For years the district rented facilities for graduation and other large district events such as convocations, choral performances and district training. In 2005, graduation ceremonies were held at Reliant Stadium at a cost of more than $170,000 in facilities rental fees, parking fees and fuel costs. With the addition of the district’s eighth high school in 2006 and the upcoming ninth and 10th high schools in 2008, the district deemed it impossible to play all football games at Pridgeon Stadium.
With more than 7,000 teachers and professional staff, there was no facility large enough to hold a district convocation. For these reasons, the Bond Steering committee recommended these support facilities be included in the bond referendum. After voter approval, the Board of Trustees decided to put the Educational Support Center, the athletic stadium and the Food Product Distribution Warehouse into one complex, resulting in a $4.2 million dollar savings from combining parking.
The total current construction cost for the five facilities located at the Berry Center complex was $72.9 million, and it is anticipated additional construction savings will be achieved upon completion of the project closeout. The total projected final costs for the project will be approximately 6 percent below the budget amount presented to the voters.
A Partnership For Success
The Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center project involves the coordinated efforts of many individuals and organizations to bring a dream to fruition.
The current elected School Board members include representatives from District 1, Al Martinez, Jr.; District 2, Albert Arechiga III; District 3, Lou Bertoli, Vice President; District 4, Lida Woodul, District 5, Dr. John Ogletree, Secretary; District 5, Don Ryan, President; District 6, Bob Covey and Dr. David Anthony, Superintendent of Schools. For information about the functions of CFISD, visit www.cfisd.net.
The complex was designed by the PBK Architects, Inc. along with their design consultant, HOK Sport Venue. The facilities were built by SpawGlass Construction. Overseen by Pamela Wells, Associate Superintendent for General Administration; H.D. Chambers, Director of General Administration; and Beth Wade, CFE, General Manager, the Berry Center opened in May 2006.
