For generations of Rangers to come, a new space at Naaman Forest High School will be filled with practices, performances, accomplishments and memories.

That future officially began as students, staff, community members and district leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of Garland ISD's first Multi-Program Activity Center (MAC) on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

The ribbon cutting marked the opening of a facility made possible through the 2023 Bond Program and the community's vision for new opportunities for students.

View the GISD Flickr page for additional photos.

"Today is about keeping a promise," said Jason Wheeler, GISD Executive Director of Communications. "When our community invested in the bond that made this MAC possible, it invested in our students' potential."

The Naaman Forest MAC and fieldhouse provide modern, flexible spaces for athletics, fine arts, special education and other campus programs, giving students more room to practice, perform and participate.

"This space is inclusive of the arts. This space is inclusive of those with different abilities. This space is inclusive of every fabric of our community," Superintendent Dr. Ricardo López said.

The indoor turf field provides a year-round space for practices, training, performances and other activities, helping students continue their work through North Texas weather. The facility also includes locker rooms, athletic training areas, a weight room and other spaces that support student preparation and wellness.

"Safety and security means keeping them out of the sun. North Texas weather is unpredictable, and our kids need to be protected," López said.

Texas State Rep. Rhetta Bowers, whose House District 113 includes parts of Garland, Rowlett and Mesquite, said the new facility reflects the community's continued investment in students and their futures.

"I am so proud of Garland ISD and the community in this moment," Bowers said. "Providing this space is an important investment in their well-being, their success and their overall educational experience."

The facility gives future Rangers another place to build on the culture of excellence established by generations of students, educators, coaches and alumni.

"What [the MAC] does is give the future students another tool to even build on that excellence themselves," said Wes Johnson, GISD Board President.

Following the ceremony, community members had the opportunity to tour the new facility and see the space firsthand.

The Naaman Forest 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. Naaman Forest is the first to open its doors to students.

"We're not at the end of that vision, but we're at the beginning of what our students will do with that vision," Johnson said.