McKINNEY, Texas — Yes, everything is bigger in the Lone Star state. Even parking plan alternatives.
Prior to this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson, the plan was to have patrons for the tournament — which had been at nearby Trinity Forest for two years before moving to TPC Craig Ranch — park at prime lots in an affluent adjacent neighborhood.
But when significant rains rolled through earlier in the week, it was decided the lots would likely suffer too much damage and the masses were redirected.
Plan B was to shuttle patrons to and from a truly amazing facility — the McKinney Independent School District’s football stadium complex.
When it opened in 2018, it was said to be one of the most expensive high school football stadiums in the country. The stadium seats 12,000 fans, has a special superintendent’s suite, as well as a community room that overlooks one end zone. It even housed the NCAA Division II National Championship in both 2018 and 2019.
The price tag on the complex? Approximately $70 million.
Three high schools — McKinney High School, McKinney North and McKinney Boyd — all play home games at the stadium and Assistant Athletic Director Corey Homer said the facility is “constantly used” by community and school groups.
In fact, the only problem with moving golf patrons to the parking lot was the school had plans of its own — the McKinney High spring football game was held earlier this week, so Homer and others had to section off part of the lot to keep space for the area football fans.
“The economic impact is something you really have to think about,” Homer said. “It’s amazing what this does for our community.”
Here’s a look at the stadium, inside and out.