Facilities

[IndianFan]

There are no words... How does Celina afford or even justify this type of commitment.
…an expansive concourse, a weight room, a Hall of Fame walkway, an indoor multipurpose facility, a varsity locker room, a banquet hall and a film room with built-in seating.

It’s a real shame that PNGISD couldn’t pull the trigger on the indoor facility. There were significant donations already available.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1408564523343175690

 

[IndianFan]

Projects

Our projects reflect our commitment to quality, the talent of our engineers and designers, and the close relationships we build with our clients.

dunawayassociates.com

 

[1989NDN]

Schools in north Texas are light years ahead of 99% of the greater Houston area and SETX. Celina has better facilities than most universities in Texas outside of those in the Big XII. Good find and share, IndianFan.

 

[Justafan]

You’d think with the rich tradition and alumni of PNG their would be no issues raising funds to build top notch facilities. Very disappointing

 

[1989NDN]

Good discussion. I agree, but in the past 20-25 years, many in SETX have faced adversities outside of their control. COVID, TPC exploded, hurricanes, flooding, and the ever changing petrochemical industry. South and Mid-County had some ups and some downs. Many in Port Neches and Groves suffered job losses or financial changes. Infrastructure in Port Neches and Groves has aged, the communities are landlocked, and new decent paying jobs are far and few between in south and mid-Jefferson county. Yet, through it all, the taxpayers of Port Neches and Groves have approved bonds for new schools, upgrades to athletic facilities, and new infrastructure in both cities. In Groves, residents approved funds for roads, drainage, water treatment/sewer, new city hall/police station, and a new fire station. I believe Port Neches did the same for roads, drainage, and its city hall building. I think, all-in-all, the taxpayers of Port Neches and Groves have done an amazing job giving what they could afford to city and school administrations. I would love for a alums or industry leaders to donate. I would give what I could afford. I would be one of the biggest cheerleader for new facilities. All that said, I can't find fault with the hard working taxpayers of Port Neches and Groves. They have stepped up and approved higher taxes, approved bonds, and given what they could to PN-G students. Tip of the cap to the residents. I would love an indoor practice facility and more bells and whistles. I'd like to help the PN-GISD educational endowment grow and provide more funds to teachers for all of the tools and supplies that they need. PN-GISD has a proud history of leading SETX in educational excellence. The teachers and their commitment to PN-G students are a big reason why PN-GISD is the envy of SETX. I wish we could grow the district's funds and give the teachers more financial support. The school board members change from time-to-time, but the commitment Honor, Pride, and Tradition never changes. Tip of the cap to the school board and teaching staff. Even with adversity giving body punches to the taxpayers, school, and students, the PN-GISD is second to none. I'd like to read the opinions of others. Not knocking IndianFan or Justafan. I go back-and-forth. Disappointed that PN-G does not have Celina-like facilities or what they are doing in north Texas building mega-facilities. Then again, can't fault our taxpayers. They give every time something is needed in Port Neches and Groves. Good discussion.

Go Indians.

 

[IndianFan]

I agree that both local business and citizens face economic challenges. I’m thinking more of the deeper pockets of donors and big business as the bulk of the funds.

 

[90NDN]

I live in Celina now ...all I can say is more and more people are moving north since it is cheaper for a nicer home/more land...then once that area gets to full, they move north again. Celina has a proven tradition of winning state championships, so i'm honestly not surprised by their facilities with the amount of money in North Texas.

 

[IndianFan]

I live in Celina now ...all I can say is more and more people are moving north since it is cheaper for a nicer home/more land...then once that area gets to full, they move north again. Celina has a proven tradition of winning state championships, so i'm honestly not surprised by their facilities with the amount of money in North Texas.

You were in the Austin area previously?

Celina is one of the crown programs in the state. But it’s still mind boggling to see that amount of money spent in such a small community. I feel the same way about Carthage.

 

[Usedtocould]

Carthage is the natural gas capitol of (fill in geographical area) largest Ngas deposit (either like second in the world something like that.

 

[prepballfan]

When I lived in Zavalla we had state of the art gyms for that time. The city has a population of 767. How did Zavalla get the money to have that gym? The answer is the State of Texas paid for it.

 

[PNG Proud]

When I lived in Zavalla we had state of the art gyms for that time. The city has a population of 767. How did Zavalla get the money to have that gym? The answer is the State of Texas paid for it.

Do you mean Robin Hood? aka PNG and other "high tax revenue" districts?

 

[PNG Proud]

Another issue, IMO is the obvious issue that PNG and Groves are land locked, especially PN. The influx of people into Groves are not conducive to, shall I say, squeezing money out of a turnip? And those that live in PN are getting older, with no kids in school. Hell, I'd move back there if I could find the setup that I have now, for the same money. But the real estate is higher because it's much safer than other areas.
The bottom line is that those in PN are there, not so much for the school district any more, but for security and resale later on.
Like stated earlier, the citizens are doing all that they can, with new schools coming up now, but that all needs to be paid for first.

Just my thoughts

 

[IndianFan]

Another issue, IMO is the obvious issue that PNG and Groves are land locked, especially PN. The influx of people into Groves are not conducive to, shall I say, squeezing money out of a turnip? And those that live in PN are getting older, with no kids in school. Hell, I'd move back there if I could find the setup that I have now, for the same money. But the real estate is higher because it's much safer than other areas.
The bottom line is that those in PN are there, not so much for the school district any more, but for security and resale later on.
Like stated earlier, the citizens are doing all that they can, with new schools coming up now, but that all needs to be paid for first.

Just my thoughts

Great and true facts. In general, communities with older, low cost homes like many in Groves are rented or purchased by folks without much disposable income to pay extra taxes for sports facilities. Same for those retired on a fixed income.

Scary thoughts. If that continued then there are not a lot of kids to even attend the schools. But the balancing factor is that Father Time is kind to no one. The great circle of life continues. The old leave and younger generations replace them in those homes.

It seems that the real issue for all small towns is jobs or rather lack of. (And Beaumont-Port Arthur area is small). Younger generations move away for opportunities.

But with the culture shift to remote work, that may be solved. I have not set foot in an office building in 2 years and never will again. Opportunities abound for knowledge workers. A fast internet connection is all you need.

 

[90NDN]

You were in the Austin area previously?

Celina is one of the crown programs in the state. But it’s still mind boggling to see that amount of money spent in such a small community. I feel the same way about Carthage.

No .. I was in Frisco prior to Celina. Too Liberal in Austin for me hah. There is so much growth up here....Prosper just opened up their 2nd high school this year and already have ground for the 3rd one not far from my house. It wasn't that long ago Prosper was 2A prior to 2006-07 yr..mind boggling. I think eventually Celina will move up...especially with the toll way expanding more north making for an easier commute.

 

[WOSgrad]

Another issue, IMO is the obvious issue that PNG and Groves are land locked, especially PN. The influx of people into Groves are not conducive to, shall I say, squeezing money out of a turnip? And those that live in PN are getting older, with no kids in school. Hell, I'd move back there if I could find the setup that I have now, for the same money. But the real estate is higher because it's much safer than other areas.
The bottom line is that those in PN are there, not so much for the school district any more, but for security and resale later on.
Like stated earlier, the citizens are doing all that they can, with new schools coming up now, but that all needs to be paid for first.

Just my thoughts

This is an extremely overlooked factor.

Not only in Port Neches and Groves, but all over SETX.

Let me provide this example. 36 years ago, my senior season at WO-S, 22-5A (6A today) was made up wholly of Golden Triangle teams:

Beaumont-Charlton-Pollard
Beaumont French
Beaumont West Brook
Nederland
Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson
Port Neches-Groves
Vidor
West Orange-Stark

Let's look at where these schools are for the 2021 season.

Beaumont-Charton-Pollard and French no longer exist as they were merged to form Central, which a couple of years ago merged with Beaumont Ozen to form Beaumont United. Yet, all of those mergers still couldn't keep Beaumont ISD's newest school in 6A.

While West Brook remains in 6A, that in large part can be due to West Brook absorbed the students from South Park when they closed in 1986 and word has it that during the next couple realignments that even they may fall to 5A.

Nederland is now in Class 5A.

Thomas Jefferson also no longer exists as it was merged with SFA and Lincoln to form Memorial, which itself ultimately fell from the 6A ranks.

Port Neches-Groves is now in Class 5A.

Vidor and West Orange-Stark are now in Class 4A.

While DFW is on the increase, SETX is definitely on the decline.

 

[IndianFan]

Same is true for Houston metro. North and west is booming for small and unincorporated towns.
Cypress, Waller, Tomball, Magnolia, New Caney, etc.

 

[prepballfan]

This is an extremely overlooked factor.

Not only in Port Neches and Groves, but all over SETX.

Let me provide this example. 36 years ago, my senior season at WO-S, 22-5A (6A today) was made up wholly of Golden Triangle teams:

Beaumont-Charlton-Pollard
Beaumont French
Beaumont West Brook
Nederland
Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson
Port Neches-Groves
Vidor
West Orange-Stark

Let's look at where these schools are for the 2021 season.

Beaumont-Charton-Pollard and French no longer exist as they were merged to form Central, which a couple of years ago merged with Beaumont Ozen to form Beaumont United. Yet, all of those mergers still couldn't keep Beaumont ISD's newest school in 6A.

While West Brook remains in 6A, that in large part can be due to West Brook absorbed the students from South Park when they closed in 1986 and word has it that during the next couple realignments that even they may fall to 5A.

Nederland is now in Class 5A.

Thomas Jefferson also no longer exists as it was merged with SFA and Lincoln to form Memorial, which itself ultimately fell from the 6A ranks.

Port Neches-Groves is now in Class 5A.

Vidor and West Orange-Stark are now in Class 4A.

While DFW is on the increase, SETX is definitely on the decline.

grad I would love to see the difference in numbers for that time frame. How many students for 5a then vs 6a now and so on

 

[Usedtocould]

Pleasant Grove and Carthage have indoor practice fields and they are 4a div 2 PGs enrollment is between 6-700

 

[Justafan]

Jumbotron is removed. Looks like they’re getting ready to lay the turf.

 

[IndianFan]

Wow. Thanks Justafan. You are the first person I can remember sharing photos in at least 10 years. It’s really great hearing about and seeing the progress.