Rowlett High School students, staff, city leaders, and community members gathered on the indoor field as district leaders officially cut the ribbon on the school's new Multi-Program Activity Center (MAC).

The Rowlett HS MAC is the second in the district to open its doors to students and staff. 

View the GISD Flickr page for additional photos.

Inside the climate-controlled fieldhouse, double doors open directly onto a full-length indoor turf field designed for year-round use.

The space provides a safe, covered location for practice during extreme North Texas heatwaves, heavy spring rains, and winter cold snaps.

Fine arts programs and athletic teams will share the indoor field alongside special education programs and other campus groups.

Executive Director of Communications Jason Wheeler welcomed the crowd and emphasized the community voters who made the project possible.

"Today is about keeping a promise. When our community invested in the bond that made this multi-program activity center possible, it invested in our students' potential," said Wheeler.

Superintendent Dr. Ricardo López highlighted how the versatile floor layout and drop-down netting were designed to support multiple student groups simultaneously.

"What we did differently when we designed this was focus on inclusivity," López said. "This facility is a game changer. Neighboring school districts have now replicated this not only in North Texas, but throughout the United States because it includes all children."

GISD Board Vice President Larry H. Glick shared his long connection to the campus, tracing his long history with the City of Rowlett and the high school. Glick recalled an early conversation with López many years ago about bringing indoor training facilities to Garland ISD campuses.

"We talked back and forth, and now we've done it," Glick said. "And not only did we do it for one high school, but all seven of our high schools will have this wonderful facility."

State Representatives Rhetta Andrews Bowers and Angie Chen Button also attended the event to offer their congratulations to the students, faculty, campus leadership, and the district. Bowers also mentioned that Rowlett HS holds a special place in her heart since her children graduated as Eagles.

Following the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, district staff and student ambassadors led visitors on guided tours of the weight rooms, athletic-training suites, locker rooms, and other spaces designed by PBK Sports and built by CORE Construction.

The Rowlett HS MAC was made possible by Garland ISD voters, who approved the district's $1.279 billion 2023 Bond Program. Each of Garland ISD's seven high schools will receive a MAC, with several facilities now nearing the final stages of construction.