Texas Wesleyan building $16.5 million athletic stadium

Texas Wesleyan University broke ground on a $16.5 million athletic stadium on its east Fort Worth campus Tuesday. Mayor Mattie Parker joined school officials for the announcement of Karen Cramer Stadium. The stadium will be between Binkley Street and Nashville Avenue, a block north of East Rosedale Street. Cramer, a member of the Texas Wesleyan board of trustees, pledged $5 million to instigate the project in November. “My family grew up here. Texas Wesleyan has been my family’s business,” said Cramer, whose parents met when they were students at Texas Wesleyan. Cramer told Wesleyan officials that the school would receive a donation in her will. “Do you want it now or after I’m dead,” Cramer asked. “And guess what they said? ‘We want it now.’ And I want to see it built while I’m alive.” Karen Cramer Stadium will be one of the few stadiums or sports facilities named after a woman. “I’m really excited about that,” she said.

The complex will be built in three phases, including a practice field and lighting, an NCAA-certified track, and bleachers, press box, field house and concessions. The complex will sit on the western edge of the campus. The field and track are expected to be finished by the end of the year. The grandstand and field house will be completed later as the third phase. A stadium for the school has been discussed since 2017 when football returned to the university after a 76-year hiatus. The Rams begin their sixth season this fall. “The new stadium will positively affect all aspects of our Engage 2025 Strategic Plan by enhancing student, alumni and community engagement, and spurring further economic development along Rosedale Street by bringing more people to our neighborhood,” Texas Wesleyan President Frederick Slabach said in a release. “It also will generate a revenue stream to sustain our athletic programs through usage fees from outside organizations.” Economic development work started along East Rosedale Street with the Rosedale Renaissance, renovated storefronts in the 3000 and 3100 blocks, the Nick and Lou Martin University Center, and The Rosedale — a $10.5 million private student-housing development scheduled to open this fall at East Rosedale and Collard streets.