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University To Unveil Several New Campus Projects As The Fall Semester Starts

The new developments are part of a far-reaching master plan.

Recreation CenterSAN ANTONIO —When Texas A&M University-San Antonio kicks off the fall semester on Aug. 26, the University will unveil two new campus projects, while several others are under development. Both new projects are part of a master plan that will dramatically impact the campus and the surrounding community.

Perhaps the most anticipated project is the new Student Recreation Center. The 22,322-square-foot facility has an expansive gym, locker rooms, and a competition basketball court that’s home to the University’s new men’s and women’s basketball teams. Student fees paid for the majority of the $19.2 million building.

“Our recreation center is designed to enhance the student experience, improve recruitment, and magnify the brand of the University in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Darnell Smith.

Along with the recreation center, the University is also unveiling Estrella Hall, which can accommodate about 350 students. The new residence hall joins Esperanza Hall to offer a combined 744 beds. The four-story space boasts a canteen, lounge/study spaces on each floor, and sweeping campus views. This expansion reflects the University's commitment to student growth and development, helping make the University more accessible to those outside the San Antonio area.

In addition to these projects, the University is developing Educare, a $19.7 on-campus childcare center. The facility will provide childcare for students, staff and, Bexar County residents. Educare will serve a vital need in South San Antonio, where the number of available spots for quality childcare is approximately eight per 100 children. Construction is scheduled to start in January. Also in the works is an eight-lane competition track, a multipurpose athletic field, and a softball stadium. This project will serve as a practice and competition facility for men’s and women’s sports, and the renovated softball field will help with recruitment and provide a top-notch training venue. Moreover, the facilities will be open to the public, helping create a hub for fitness, sports, and health in a part of the city that lacks dedicated fields and courts for youth and amateur sports.

Finally, the University is scheduled to open its new Public Health and Education Building in the spring of 2026. The $55 million facility will accelerate the training of healthcare professionals and expand medical research and education. This is a critical new area of emphasis as the University strives to address the health inequities in South San Antonio, where, in some areas, there’s a 20-year difference in lifespan compared to parts of the North Side.

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About Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Established as a stand-alone university in 2009, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a comprehensive four-year public university that reflects the culturally diverse, heritage-rich community it serves. Situated on nearly 700 acres in South San Antonio, the University offers 39 undergraduate degrees and 23 graduate degrees to about 7,620 students.. A&M-San Antonio is home to the Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders, the Cyber Engineering Technology/Cyber Security Research Center, and the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement. The University holds the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation and is one of 39 higher education institutions in the U.S. to have received the Seal of Excelencia certification from Excelencia in Education for its support of Latino student success. More than 77 percent of A&M-SA students identify as Hispanic, and approximately 72 percent are the first in their families to attend college. A&M-San Antonio is a military-embracing institution; the University was recently awarded the 2023 Gold Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award (VEERA) from the Texas Veterans Commission. Visit tamusa.edu for more information. #onamission